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Ministers are briefed over FMD | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland ministers have been updated on the foot-and-mouth crisis. | |
The first and deputy first ministers, as well as the agriculture minister, attended the Stormont briefing. | |
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. | |
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said new export certificates now stated clearly that the produce originated in Northern Ireland. | |
"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. | |
"This very clearly distinguishes ourselves from products coming from Britain." | |
Ms Gildernew said there were still challenges ahead | Ms Gildernew said there were still challenges ahead |
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. |