Massive security cordon to keep foot and mouth at bay
A massive security cordon is being placed on sea and airports and along the 300-mile border with Northern Ireland in a determined bid by Government authorities to prevent animals infected with foot and mouth disease from entering the country.
Hundreds of gardaí, initially from northern areas, have been deployed to operate checkpoints and enforce the Government ban on the import of live animals, meat and dairy products from the North and Britain.
The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, said major resources were being focused on the huge task which will also feature Defence Force involvement.
All sea and airports have also been placed on high alert to protect the multi billion pound agricultural sector from the viral disease, which is highly contagious to livestock, but poses little threat to humans.
A top level meeting involving the Departments of Agriculture, Justice and the gardaí was held in Dublin last evening to ensure the operation was effectively
coordinated.
