Taoiseach pleads for foot-and-mouth vigilance

The total number of foot-and-mouth cases in Britain has rocketed through the 400 barrier - on the same day that the Netherlands has suffered its first case.

The double blow has prompted the Taoiseach to plead with the Irish public to be even more vigilant now than ever before.

Speaking in Dublin, Bertie Ahern said that there was no room for complacency despite the lifting of sporting and social restrictions.

Following the announcement of two cases in the Netherlands, the European Commission has banned the export of Dutch animals and meat products.

On the back of the announcement, Fine Gael Munster MEP John Cushnahan has called this afternoon for an emergency EU task force to be set up to tackle the crisis.