Farmers on both sides of the Border have been urged to step up controls to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth, amid fears that fresh outbreaks of the disease may be confirmed in the North this week.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, said he was appealing directly to every farmer to contain their premises and ensure that disinfection procedures were rigidly observed. Northern Ireland's Minister of Agriculture, Mrs Brid Rodgers, said the future of the industry in the North rested in the hands of each individual farmer.
They were speaking after confirmation yesterday of the North's third case in Cushendall, Co Antrim.
Two "hot suspect" cases in Ardboe, Co Tyrone, where a case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed last Friday, are also under investigation. Test results on the suspect animals are not due until tomorrow as Pirbright Laboratory in Britain, where the tests are being carried out, was closed over the weekend.
Northern Ireland has lost its right to export livestock or animal-based products in the EU because of the latest outbreaks.
Investigating officials are particularly concerned that there is no obvious link between the three confirmed cases, and it is feared intermediate cases may be awaiting identification.
Exclusion zones have been set up around the two new locations. Up to 4,000 animals are being slaughtered in Co Tyrone and even more face destruction in Co Antrim, where there is a high concentration of sheep.
One of the North's biggest tourist attractions, Glenariff Forest Park near Cushendall, was closed yesterday. Further restrictions on the movement of people are to be announced today after an emergency meeting of the Northern Executive.
Yesterday Mrs Rodgers issued an order banning all movement of animals off farms. Until now, movement was allowed to abattoirs under certification.
The Irish Farmers' Association said it was unhappy at the controls in place in Northern Ireland, adding that it was critical that the authorities there should discover the source of the three confirmed cases.
"The weakness in the controls in the North that is allowing this spread of foot-and-mouth must be traced," the IFA president, Mr Tom Parlon, said. "There is also a clear need for a lot more urgency from the authorities in the North in dealing with suspect cases."
In a separate development, gardai are trying to trace a batch of calves which were reportedly smuggled across the Border in the days before the North's first outbreak in Meigh, Co Armagh, was confirmed six weeks ago.
Sources have told gardai that 38 calves were brought illegally into the Republic for delivery to farms in Leinster and/or Munster. Results of tests on the truck in which they were carried are due early this week. The suspected smuggler is understood to have left the State after being questioned by gardai.
Some sporting events in the North were cancelled yesterday, including the GAA National Football League clash between Antrim and Westmeath at Casement Park.
Sinn Fein revised arrangements for an Easter Rising commemorative event in Monaghan, advising some speakers and bands not to attend.
The Apprentice Boys cancelled a controversial parade due today on the lower Ormeau Road in Belfast. Local residents were preparing to hold a protest march and clashes had been feared.
