The ban on animals exports to be retained

The ban on animal exports has been retained by Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh following a double outbreak of foot-and-mouth at Proleek, Co Louth.

A ban on the export of animal products has also been extended by the Minister.

There will be a major slaughtering campaign established within the exclusion zone, which takes in the Cooley Mountains.

Minister Walsh told the Dail: "The results of the samples which were forwarded yesterday have come to hand this morning, and unfortunately they have indicated that two samples were positive.

"It should be noted this flock is located at Proleek, within the surveillance zone following an earlier outbreak in Co Armagh."