Massive cull in Co Louth

Department of Agriculture vets have worked most of the night to stop the possible spread of the foot-and-mouth disease in north Co Louth.

There are 24 farms in the 3km radius of the Ravensdale Farm that will be affected by the massive cull operation.

The wider 10km exclusion zone will affect around 700 farms, with no animals or products to move out of the cordon.

Farms cannot re-stock their herds until at least 30 days after foot-and-mouth decontamination procedures.

The export of live Irish animals was banned by the EU last night but there was some relief at the decision not to ban the export of animal products from other parts of the country outside Co Louth.