IFA President Tom Parlon has admitted the suspected case of foot and mouth disease in the North is a serious blow to efforts to keep it out of the Republic.
"Certainly this is a body blow to my fellow farmers in the North and clearly it is a big blow for the defences we had planned for Ireland as an island and the fact it is surrounded by water," said Mr Parlon.
"But, most importantly, we must remember that this case has not been confirmed yet."