Test results for Kilkenny and Waterford are negative

Preliminary test results for foot-and-mouth disease on samples taken from two

farms in Co Waterford and Co Kilkenny are negative, the Department of Agriculture confirmed this afternoon.

Samples from the two farms were sent to Pirbright international laboratories on Saturday.

The livestock cull on the Cooley peninsula by Department officials, Army marksmen and Dúchas officers is continuing today with an estimated 15,000 sheep and 400 cattle remaining to be killed.

Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Ms Bríd Rogers, today confirmed a reduction in the restrictions on the transport of livestock.

She told the Northern Ireland Assembly that the EU decision to regionalise the foot-an-mouth controls in Northern Ireland included a requirement to maintain controls in the South Armagh District Council area.

Farmers in Northern Ireland can now apply for licences to move cattle, sheep, pigs and goats between their own lands on grounds of welfare. The permitted limit for travel is under 6.2 miles (10km).

Ms Rogers said once 30 days have passed following the cleansing and disinfection at the Meigh outbreak on April 5th, a request will be made to have remaining controls lifted.

Northern Ireland chief veterinary officer, Mr Bob McCracken will go before the EU Standing Veterinary Committee tomorrow to confirm that the cull of animals in the exclusion zone around Meigh has been completed.

It is then hoped that exports from Northern Ireland except South Armagh can recommence.