Foot and mouth farmer issues statement

The owner of the farm in south Armagh where foot and mouth was confirmed has issued a statement through his solicitor.

Maurice Collins said he is co-operating in every way with the Department of Agriculture in the North and that he explained how the diseased sheep came to be on his farm in Meigh, Co Armagh.

Milk producers said the outbreak in the North will cost £5m a month.

Meanwhile, the Northern Assembly is to set up a special committee to deal with the day to day handling of the crisis