The Minister for Agriculture tonight confirmed he intended to implement a sheep-tagging system irrespective of the participation of the main farming organisations.
Speaking after a foot-and-mouth strategy meeting of EU farm ministers in Brussels, Mr Joe Walsh said incidences of sheep smuggling had shown the need for a comprehensive tagging and tracing system.
The measures put in place at EU level and within individual countries are being reviewed and additional proposals, including new rules for transporting animals are under consideration.
Foot-and-mouth has so far been found in France and Britain which has confirmed 335 cases as of this evening.