Restrictions were imposed today on a farm on the north Antrim coast after a new foot-and-mouth alert in Northern Ireland.
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Eighteen of the 325 sheep on the farm near Ballycastle are showing lesions consistent with foot-and-mouth and samples have been sent to laboratories in Surrey for testing.
A three-kilometre control zone has been set up around the farm.
Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Mrs Bríd Rodgers said: "These symptoms are giving some cause for concern and samples have been sent to Pirbright for analysis. Results on these tests are not expected for another few days."
Tests on a flock of 64 sheep on a farm near Magherafelt, Co Derry, have also shown positive initial screenings.
Mrs Rodgers said this did not mean the flock has foot-and-mouth disease but that it may have been exposed to the virus.
"Therefore, and on veterinary advice, I have decided to cull that flock as a precautionary measure," she said.
There have been no new cases in the North since the fourth case was confirmed at Ardboe, Co Tyrone, three weeks ago.
PA