Walsh and Rodgers to meet in Dublin

The Minister for Agriculture is to meet his northern counterpart, Brid

Rodgers, later today in Dublin.

The ministers will discuss all-Ireland co-operation to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease and to combat illegal smuggling of animals.

A marketing package to outline the island's disease-free status is also expected to be considered.

Exclusion zones around the outbreaks in Meigh, Co Armagh and Proleek, Co Louth, are still in place and thousands of animals have been slaughtered.