This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6937900.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ministers to be briefed over FMD Ministers are briefed over FMD
(about 6 hours later)
Northern Ireland ministers are to be updated on the foot-and-mouth crisis. Northern Ireland ministers have been updated on the foot-and-mouth crisis.
The first and deputy first ministers as well as the agriculture minister will attend the Stormont briefing. The first and deputy first ministers, as well as the agriculture minister, attended the Stormont briefing.
It comes after chief veterinary officer Bert Houston lobbyed EU officials to ensure NI remained exempt from the UK ban on meat and dairy exports. They were given a report by chief veterinary officer Bert Houston who had been in Brussels ensuring NI remained exempt from the UK meat and dairy ban.
He also pressed for further relaxation of the certification requirements.Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said there were still challenges. Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said new export certificates now stated clearly that the produce originated in Northern Ireland.
"The collective veterinary judgement is that it is too early to consider any immediate change to certification requirements, but we will have the opportunity to re-open this at the next meeting scheduled in a fortnight's time," she said. "Northern Ireland is highlighted (on the certificates) it stands out of the page in bold print so that it is very distinct and clear," she said.
"To assist us in clearing problems with other countries, Defra will be contacting all EU member state CVOs (chief veterinary officers) to explain the position and set up contacts to assist in resolving any problems. " "This very clearly distinguishes ourselves from products coming from Britain."
Ms Gildernew said there were still challenges aheadMs Gildernew said there were still challenges ahead
During Thursday's briefing, ministers will be updated on measures to prevent the disease spreading to Northern Ireland and attempts to safeguard the export trade of the local agri/food industry. During Thursday's briefing, ministers were also updated on measures to prevent the disease spreading to Northern Ireland and attempts to safeguard the export trade of the local agri/food industry.
Northern Ireland is excluded from EU restrictions banning livestock and dairy from the UK, which will continue until 25 August.Northern Ireland is excluded from EU restrictions banning livestock and dairy from the UK, which will continue until 25 August.
Culling has been ordered on a third farm in Surrey, next to the second farm already affected, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there.Culling has been ordered on a third farm in Surrey, next to the second farm already affected, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there.
First Minister Ian Paisley has already spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some Northern Ireland firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad.First Minister Ian Paisley has already spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some Northern Ireland firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad.
Mr Paisley said he was confident the battle to keep Northern Ireland free of the disease was being won.
"We are in a very strong position, we are free from this pestilence and even our enemies our admitting we are free," he said.
"It looks as if we have solved many of the problems that arose when the first statements were made."
A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.
Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.
Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.