A tense wait began yesterday for results on a spring lamb tested for foot-and-mouth disease in north Wexford. It is expected preliminary results won't be available until later today at the earliest.
The Irish Country Meats plant in Camolin, north Wexford, was sealed off by veterinary inspectors from the Department of Agriculture after concern was raised about a spring lamb being prepared for slaughter at the plant.
It is understood that the lamb, which came from an Enniscorthy out-farm, displayed some clinical symptoms of the disease, which caused concern during inspection by the plant vet and the veterinary inspectors were called in as a precaution.
The inspectors arrived just after 2 p.m. and began testing the suspect animal and others at the plant, which is owned by the Slaney Meats group.
Department officials are also due to test other animals at the farmer's property at Scarawalsh and the out-farm at Milehouse, Enniscorthy. It is likely that those animals will be slaughtered as a precaution.
The suspect lamb was one of a batch of 11 born at the end of December at the out-farm belonging to Mr Frank Brownrigge. Some 230 ewes and 200 cattle on that farm and his home farm at Scarawalsh were also tested yesterday afternoon by Department officials.
Gardai maintained a presence at the Irish Country Meats plant into the evening to ensure no unauthorised personnel entered the premises.
Mr Joe Hanley, the manager of the factory which employs about 140, said he had no comment to make.
Mr Brownrigge lives at his farm on the main Dublin-Wexford road, just south of Ferns.