The outbreak of two more FMD cases in Tyrone and Antrim has reminded us all that the vigilance must be maintained for as long as this scourge of FMD continues to threaten the livelihoods of our farmers and indeed of us. It astonishes us that many fisheries north of the border remain open while we close fisheries completely here in the Republic. Those that have opened do so under very strict Ministerial guidelines, however, visitors are being encouraged to travel while this disease remains out of control in the UK.

FISSTA ADVISES THEIR FISHERIES TO CLOSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND STAND BY THEIR FARMING COLLEAGUES AT THIS VERY WORRYING TIME.