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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| EU's foot-and-mouth move welcomed | EU's foot-and-mouth move welcomed |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed the EU Commission's decision to officially recognise Northern Ireland's foot-and-mouth free status. | The Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed the EU Commission's decision to officially recognise Northern Ireland's foot-and-mouth free status. |
| The move will allow local produce to be exported without disruption. | The move will allow local produce to be exported without disruption. |
| Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has briefed the executive on Northern Ireland's response to the latest outbreak of the disease in England. | Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has briefed the executive on Northern Ireland's response to the latest outbreak of the disease in England. |
| She has already ordered a ban on the movement of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep from Britain. | She has already ordered a ban on the movement of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep from Britain. |
| Certain animal products including raw meat and unpasteurised milk are banned. | Certain animal products including raw meat and unpasteurised milk are banned. |
| Disinfectant mats are also being placed at ports and airports. Ms Gildernew said everything was being done to keep the disease out of Northern Ireland. | Disinfectant mats are also being placed at ports and airports. Ms Gildernew said everything was being done to keep the disease out of Northern Ireland. |
| Livestock imports from England to Ireland were halted on Wednesday after the disease outbreak in Surrey. | Livestock imports from England to Ireland were halted on Wednesday after the disease outbreak in Surrey. |
| Speaking after the executive meeting, Ms Gildernew said she would do everything possible to ensure the disease does not spread to Northern Ireland. | |
| "Following my immediate pre-emptive actions yesterday, my officials have traced over 70 consignments of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs which had been imported directly from Britain since 23 August and clinical inspections of these are under way," she said. | |
| "We believe that none of the consignments have come from the Surrey area. | |
| "My department has contacted all agri-food stakeholders including farming organisations, retailers and processors to advise them of the latest developments. | |
| "We are also providing them with contact points within the department and ask that they advise us of any problems that they may be experiencing." | |
| 'Swift response' | 'Swift response' |
| The UFU's Kenneth Sharkey welcomed the "swift response" of the Department of Agriculture. | The UFU's Kenneth Sharkey welcomed the "swift response" of the Department of Agriculture. |
| "The ban on the importation of livestock and produce from GB, coupled with controls at ports and airports are necessary to help protect the local industry from the disease. | "The ban on the importation of livestock and produce from GB, coupled with controls at ports and airports are necessary to help protect the local industry from the disease. |
| "They have also resulted in the European Commission officially recognising our disease free status," he said. | "They have also resulted in the European Commission officially recognising our disease free status," he said. |
| During the executive meeting, ministers also discussed the recent sudden deaths of young people in sport. | During the executive meeting, ministers also discussed the recent sudden deaths of young people in sport. |
| Organised dog fighting - an issue highlight by a recent BBC Spotlight investigation - and restrictions on the sale of tobacco to young people are also on the agenda. | Organised dog fighting - an issue highlight by a recent BBC Spotlight investigation - and restrictions on the sale of tobacco to young people are also on the agenda. |
| Finance Minister Peter Robinson also made a presentation setting out his approach to the forthcoming draft budget. | Finance Minister Peter Robinson also made a presentation setting out his approach to the forthcoming draft budget. |