All animal movements banned in North

The North's Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers has announced a complete ban

on the movement of farm animals.

Speaking as officials await test results from two 'hot' suspect cases in Co Tyrone, Mrs Rodgers also appealed to farmers in the North to reinforce their precautions against foot-and-mouth.

"I am saying to farmers, sealing off your farm is not putting a mat at the

gate," she said. Sealing off your farm is also closing the gate, or if you

haven't a gate, putting something in the way."

She repeated her conviction that the spread of the disease had not been wind-borne and had instead been caused by the movement of people or animals.

Mrs Rodgers also appealed for information from anyone who knew of unlicensed movement of animals.