Unity vital in tackling foot and mouth

A COMMON approach to any threats posed to the island of Ireland by foot and mouth disease, bluetongue and bird flu was endorsed by a North-South ministerial council meeting in Donegal yesterday.

Respective agriculture ministers, Mary Coughlan and Michelle Gildernew, said this co-operation ensured such an approach was adopted in dealing with recent outbreaks of these diseases in Britain while maintaining trade levels.

They described the collaborative work undertaken in response to the outbreaks as having been mutually beneficial.