Minister urges calm as equine swamp fever confirmed in the North

The Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has urged horse-owners south of the border not to panic following confirmation of the first case of equine swamp fever in the North.

Restrictions have been put in place following the discovery of the disease in a prize foal in Co Derry.

A case of swamp fever was found in the Republic in June.

Minister Coughlan said her department is working with the Northern authorities to prevent any further cases: “The Northern authorities have introduced restrictions and these will be honoured.”