Visitors who have recently been to Pirbright in Surrey - the epicentre of the UK Foot and Mouth alert - and who have been in contact with livestock, arrived recently in the Isle of Man.

Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne (pictured) said on Manx Radio's Mandate programme this morning (Tues) that because of the precautions in place, the visitors were identified and disinfected - and that the potential danger to Manx agriculture justifies the 'onerous' control measures being taken.

In Jersey, footpaths and most of the countryside remains open and only visitors thought to pose a real threat of transmitting Foot and Mouth Disease are being screened.

But Mr Gawne says, across our own island, there have been cases of people ignoring and even ripping down warning signs and notices.

He says if it continues, the Government will have to be much more heavy- handed in terms of prosecutions.

Three recent imports of livestock into the Island are currently being checked out by Government veterinary officers.