Irish farmers called on the Government today to re-impose strict bio-security measures after confirmation of another suspected foot and mouth outbreak in Britain.
It comes just days after the State lifted restrictions imposed in the wake of last month's scare, which saw a ban on UK farm exports and the setting up of disinfection points at Irish ports and airports.
Both the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) pledged their support for the roll-out of full bio-security measures.
Opposition politicians called on Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the threat.
The Department of Agriculture and Food said it was "watching over the situation".
ICSA president Malcolm Thompson said: "Although the disease has not been confirmed, we have that sinking feeling again.
"This disease is known to have a three-week incubation period, and that period has passed, so it raises many worrying questions if this outbreak is confirmed.
"This disease does not just affect UK farmers, but Irish farmers also, such is our proximity.
"I would also call on Irish Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan to swiftly implement the bio-security measures at ports and airports again."
Last week Ms Coughlan announced the discontinuation in Ireland of bio-security measures, such as the removal of disinfectant points from ports and airports, after Britain was declared free from foot and mouth.
A ban on the importation from Britain of live cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, as well as fresh meat, meat products, raw milk and other animal products was also lifted, a Department of Agriculture spokesman confirmed.
While last month's outbreak did not, as feared, lead to the cancellation of major agricultural gatherings such as the Dublin Horse Show, precautionary measures were imposed, including the segregation of waste from UK and non-UK animals.
If today's suspected outbreak at a farm in the Egham area of Surrey, around 30 miles (48km) from the scene of the last outbreak in August, is confirmed, it is expected bio-security measures will be re-imposed in the Republic with immediate effect to prevent the spread of the disease to Irish shores.
"We will not be commenting until, if and when the case is confirmed later this afternoon," a Department of Agriculture spokesman said.
Fine Gael called on Ms Coughlan to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the latest threat.
Party agriculture spokesman Denis Naughten said: "Following the very recent declaration that Britain was free from foot and mouth this new outbreak is devastating news.
"Nobody in Ireland underestimates the consequences of its spread into this country and that means we must return to high alert as a matter of urgency."
Labour Party spokeswoman on agriculture and food Mary Upton said the latest outbreak was very worrying. "It is clear that we must reintroduce the necessary safeguards so we can protect Irish agriculture and food interests," she said.
Ms Upton said urgent action was needed to secure Ireland's borders, including consideration of a specialist bio-security unit. Ms Upton said the report into the last British foot and mouth outbreak at Pirbright highlighted the concerns around locating such a lab in the middle of a farming community.
"Given the continuing threats to agriculture and the economy generally from animal diseases, there is now a strong case for the government establishing a permanent bio-security unit to provide maximum protection against threats of this nature."