Restrictions on the movement of livestock in Northern Ireland are being relaxed, it was confirmed today.
From Monday farmers will be able to apply for a licence to move cattle, sheep, pigs and goats - but only on welfare grounds.
Movements will only be allowed between a farmer's own different land holdings and only up to a distance of 10 kilometres.
Restrictions on the movement of horses is also being eased.
Northern Ireland has had only a single case of foot and mouth disease - in a sheep in South Armagh at the end of last month - and the easing of restrictions came after a fresh scare just across the border in Co Louth proved negative.
The Minister for Agriculture in Norther Ireland, Brid Rodgers, said she would keep further restrictions imposed following the foot and mouth outbreak under daily review.
Meanwhile the precautionary cull of 2,500 sheep in South Armagh continued today.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman said the cull was "progressing satisfactorily". Staff were working "flat out" but it was not expected to be finished before tomorrow.
The cull was one of the conditions imposed by the EU Standing Veterinary Committee when it granted Northern Ireland regional status enabling meat and dairy exports to resume next week from all areas except those in the restricted Newry and Mourne border district.
The sheep were being shot at a Ministry facility in Newry, Co Down and taken in specially sealed trucks to a plant in Belfast where they were being rendered.
PA