Aid package announced for Cooley farmers

A new campaign to regenerate the Cooley peninsula in north Co Louth was

launched today.

The area has been badly hit by the discovery of the Republic's only foot-and-mouth case so far on a farm in Proleek.

The Teagasc initiative will offer intensive support services to each of the 200 farmers affected by the cull of all animals ordered by the Dept of Agriculture.

Teagasc's Chief Agriculture Officer, Oliver Dillon, said the initiative would include off-farm employment and discussions types of stock to be brought back onto farms.

However, he warned that the plan could not possibly return things in the area to their previous state.