Antrim foot-and-mouth tests negative

The blood test taken from animals near the village of Ballintoy in North Antrim has come back negative.

The Minister for Agriculture Brid Rodgers has welcomed the result as has the Minister for Enterprise Reg Empey, who is attending a conference in Glasgow to rescue the North's tourist industry.

Mrs Brid Rodgers said the all clear was "extremely good news".

But she warned: "Nevertheless it is not reason for feelings that we are in any way out of the woods yet.

She told farmers not to let down their guard and to maintain the policy of "Fortress Farming".

"We still have the virus circulating out there in the sheep flock and while the virus is there, there is still the danger of another outbreak in Northern Ireland."