Foot and mouth controls return

CONTROLS to protect the country’s €20 billion agri food industry were put back in place last night after another outbreakof foot and mouth disease was confirmed in England.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan ordered the move just days after restrictions imposed in the wake of last month’s outbreaks of the disease in Surrey were lifted as a result of the all-clear being given by the British authorities.

In response to this outbreak, the European Commission has decided to suspend normal trade to and from Britain. The commission will remain in close contact with the British authorities to monitor the development of this latest outbreak over the coming days, a spokesperson said.