Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly were today accused of ignoring foot-and-mouth precautions by travelling to Scotland as farmers appeal for help to fight EU restrictions.
There were angry scenes at the Stormont Agriculture Committee when Mr John Dallat (SDLP, East Derry) singled out fellow member Mr Gardner Kane (DUP, North Antrim) for agreeing to go ahead with a trip to Stranraer on Monday despite the Department of Agriculture's precautions.
Northern Agriculture Minister Ms Brid Rodgers (SDLP, Upper Bann) said she would be appalled if members of the Assembly did not set an example, and appealed to anyone taking part in the trip to think again.
Party colleague Mr Alban Maginness (SDLP, North Belfast) had accepted an invitation on behalf of his assistant Ms Joelene Connolly earlier today, but later withdrew from the trip after the issue was raised in committee.
A number of other members including Mr Oliver Gibson (DUP, West Tyrone), Mr Ken Robinson (UUP, East Antrim) and Mr Roger Hutchinson (DUP, East Antrim) have also agreed to attend the North Channel Partnership meeting with Scottish parliamentarians.
The row came as Northern Irish farmers enlisted the support of the Ms Rodgers and Northern MEP's to fight for an easing of European trading restrictions imposed because of the foot and mouth crisis.
The Ulster Farmers' Union, which has seen its members incur huge exports looses after the North's only case of the disease was discovered some three weeks ago, said other EU countries were being given initial European approval to "regionalise" their outbreaks and continue exporting from other areas.
UFU president Mr Douglas Rowe said he contacted the politicians after the news broke that authorities in the Republic had sought regionalisation for County Louth only - the spot where its first outbreak was confirmed earlier this week - and received initial approval from the EU Agriculture Commissioner.
Mr Rowe said European rules must apply equally and fairly to all regions.
"Northern Ireland must receive the same treatment," he said.
PA