The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, has announced tougher precautions to prevent the cross-border spread of foot-and-mouth as another suspect case was reported in the North.
He made the move after conceding "the virus is still active on the island of Ireland."
The minister also acted in response to requests from farmers' leaders for more stringent measures to keep the farm disease out of the country - including the sealing of the border.
Mr Walsh said the border with the North was already effectively sealed.
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"There has been a very tight operation there for the past six weeks. The police, the army, members of civil defence and officials from the Department of Agriculture have been outstanding."
"I have asked them to tighten up on those measures - particularly I have ordered that all animals and animal products from Northern Ireland are banned.
"It is extremely worrying, and I want to re-emphasise the importance of tightening up, particularly along the border."
The minister said the latest suspect case in Tyrone was a serious cause for concern.
"I can tell you we are very, very nervous in the department in relation to it.
"It is six weeks since the last outbreak and that means in all likelihood the virus has been incubating since then.
"So obviously the virus is still active on the island of Ireland, and we have to redouble our efforts in terms of animal movement and people who have any contact with animals.
"I want to ask people who are organising events of any kind to make sure all hygiene and disinfectant precautions are taken."
Ahead of Mr Walsh's comments, Tom Parlon, head of the Irish Farmers Association - said the latest developments in Northern Ireland meant there was now "an extreme threat to the Republic.
"The fact that we have another suspect case nearly 100 miles away from the one in Co Tyrone means that there is something serious afoot there, and the Northern authorities do not appear to have got to the bottom of where this spread is coming from.
"I think we need to absolutely seal the border, discourage travel and sports and any contact across the border."
Pat O'Rourke, leader of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, added "The fact that foot-and-mouth has now jumped the species from sheep to cattle is alarming.
"It's crucial that we find out where this infection came from."