The Minister for Agriculture has confirmed that arrangements have been agreed to allow trading in live poultry and poultry products between the North and the Republic to start again. Restrictions had been placed on imports from the North since the outbreak of Newcastle Disease there in February. Earlier this month a control zone was placed around a farm in the Cootehill area of Cavan following an outbreak of the disease.
The Minister, Mr Yates, said the arrangements, which had been decided following discussions between officials at his Department and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, included revised certification procedures and testing requirements.