Dealers at centre of sheep movement probe

At least three livestock dealers in Northern Ireland are at the centre of investigations into the movement of sheep before foot-and-mouth occurred in the province, according to reports tonight.

At least three livestock dealers in Northern Ireland are at the centre of investigations into the movement of sheep before the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, according to reports tonight.

As Department of Agriculture officials in Belfast widened their probe to all registered sheep brought into the province from Scotland since the New Year, it emerged investigators have been looking at the activities of several dealers including one from the south of Co Derry.