The foot-and-mouth control regulation which specifies that farm animals must be kept for 30 days after purchase will remain in place until November 1st. This is despite demands from farm organisations.
While the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, said he would allow some exemptions to the rule, he was keeping the regulation in place in view of the continuing threat of the disease from Britain, where two to six cases per day are being confirmed.
Mr Walsh said the purpose of the rule, under which an animal may not be sold or supplied onward within 30 days from purchase, was to have a framework of animal movement should there be another outbreak.
He said certain exemptions would be allowed for the sale or supply of cattle to another holding within the 30-day period, but the purchaser would have to hold the animals for 30 days.
Onward movement for sale to another mart or to another dealer would be banned, and the premises at which the cattle were assembled must be cleared of all animals on one day each week so the premises could be thoroughly disinfected.
"The primary purpose of these exemptions is to allow cattle-dealers to continue their legitimate business of buying and selling animals by permitting them to assemble loads for onward sale to other holdings," said the Minister's statement.
He said the exemption would only apply to "fit and proper persons" with suitable premises away from other livestock operations who had received authorisation from the local District Veterinary Office.
The changes, said Mr Walsh, represented the best balance between the risks to animal health and the economic benefits.