Rodgers faces tough queries on virus today

The North's Agriculture Minister Ms Bríd Rodgers will brief a Stormont committee today on her department's efforts to combat …

The North's Agriculture Minister Ms Bríd Rodgers will brief a Stormont committee today on her department's efforts to combat foot-and-mouth.

She is expected to field a number of tough questions from Assembly members when she outlines the latest developments, including two outbreaks in Ardboe in Co Tyrone and Cushendall in Co Antrim.

Yesterday Ms Rodgers said some farmers were ignoring pleas and continuing to move livestock around the North.

Admitting the department was still in the dark about the source of the latest outbreaks she appealed to farmers to contact her officials about any reports of illegal movement.

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Before today's meeting agriculture committee chairman the Rev Ian Paisley said reports the disease may have spread from the illegal movement of sheep had caused great concern among the farming community.

Mr Paisley said he was particularly concerned at reports that the virus had not been transported by the wind.

"A lot of questions are going to be asked, especially as this did not come by wind, that this came by the moving of animals. I think there needs to be an inquiry into how this was developing," he said.

Deputy chairman Mr George Savage said he was concerned by reports hay and straw was still being brought in from Scotland and being moved from farm to farm.

"If you can carry this disease on your nostrils then surely it can be carried on straw and hay. Farmers are very concerned about this free access," he said.

PA