There's an immediate ban on the importation of livestock into the Isle of Man, following the discovery of foot and mouth disease in cattle on a farm in Guildford, Surrey.
Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne told Manx Radio his department's animal health division would be meeting first thing in the morning to assess the situation, after which a statement is expected to be made.
One of the first tasks will be to look at all the stock which has recently arrived on the Island, to see where it came from and where it has gone.
The last major outbreak of foot and mouth, in 2001, led to millions of cattle and sheep being destroyed in the United Kingdom.
A series of strictly enforced measures prevented foot and mouth reaching the Isle of Man.
The United Kingdom's agriculture department, Defra, has banned the movement of cows, sheep and pigs, nationwide.
(Picture: Livestock burning from the website scienceclarified.com).
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