The Isle of Man's farming community is on red alert this morning, following the discovery of foot and mouth disease in cattle, on a farm in Guildford, Surrey.
An immediate ban has been placed on the importation of livestock, and the movement of animals within the Island.
Footpaths will be closed as soon as possible, and members of the public are being asked not to go for walks in the country until further notice.
Today's farmers' market, in the Villa Marina Colonnade, has been postponed.
The Manx government's animal health division will meet at 8am (Saturday) and begin the task of working out where recently imported cattle, sheep and pigs have come from, and where in the Island they've gone.
Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne says identifying and visiting these animals is a priority (audio file attached):
The last major outbreak of foot and mouth, in 2001, led to millions of livestock being destroyed in the United Kingdom.
However, a series of strictly enforced measures prevented the disease reaching the Isle of Man.
(Image: Cattle at the recent Southern Show).
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