Samples from a lamb at the centre of the foot-and-mouth scare in Co Wexford are negative for the disease.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed today the samples from the lamb at the Irish Country Meat Plant in Camolin, Co Wexford, were negative.Other samples from animals on farms in Durrow, Co Laois, and Annestown, Co Waterford, were also negative.
A meat plant spokesman said it would stay closed while further inspections were done. He said this was a "purely precautionary" measure.
The farms in Durrow and Annestown are also still restricted while further epidemiological tests are done.
Samples from three lambs with mouth lesions found at the Slaney Meats Plant, Bunclody, are being tested at Purbright Laboratory in Britain. Those results are expected tomorrow.