One of Ireland's largest stud farms has insisted it moved horses into the State prior to the Government ban on importation of livestock only with the express permission and knowledge of the Department of Agriculture and in complete compliance with proper procedures.
The movement of the horses was not prohibited prior to yesterday and Coolmore Stud, based at Fethard, Co Tipperary, was within its rights to move the animals.
Other stud farms have also moved horses in recent days, prior to the implementation of the Government ban, Coolmore claimed.
Concern was expressed by the Irish Farmers' Association at the importation of horses by Coolmore at the weekend.
An IFA spokesman said yesterday no direct representation had been made to the Government on the matter but it had "expressed surprise, given that it was clearly not good practice in the current climate" to move any animals.
He said there was an "attendant risk" surrounding the movement of any animals at present.
A statement issued on behalf of Coolmore Stud said: "Since the alert of foot-and-mouth in the UK, all movements of bloodstock into Ireland were notified in advance to the Department of Agriculture. They were moved with the permission of the Department, in compliance with their guidelines and under their supervision."
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said the stud farm had brought horses into the State last weekend but that the ban on their importation had not come into effect until midnight yesterday.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, had publicly pointed out it was mating season and horses were brought over here in line with the Department's regulations, procedures and practices, the spokesman added.
"Horses are not affected, nor are they carriers and at this stage we are constantly updating the situation."