In a desperate attempt to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth in the State up to 12,500 sheep and cattle will be slaughtered in Co Louth today.
The first case of the disease was confirmed yesterday. Itshocked the farming and business communities.
The Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh immediately announced the Government would launch an "aggressive and strategic slaughter" policy to tackle the outbreak.
The exclusion zone around the farm at Proleek was further tightened yesterday and investigations focused on whether the disease may have spread from the source of the first outbreak on the island, in Meigh, Co Armagh, just four miles away.
The European Commission has imposed an embargo on all exports from Ireland of susceptible livestock but this will not include foot exports outside Co Louth. The embargo will remain in place until April 4th.
The EU veterinary committee is due to meet this morning to determine if restrictions within Ireland and export controls are stringent enough.
Veterinary experts here have called on farmers to be extremely vigilant and check their animals at least twice a day for signs of the disease.
A Defence Forces spokesman said all available Army resources were on standby to assist in the drive to combat the spread of the disease.