Farmers in the Isle of Man are being urged to consider a voluntary ban on importing livestock from the UK - to prevent the spread of bluetongue disease.
Last night (Saturday), a ban on imports of female cattle over 12 months and sheep over six months from bluetongue restricted zones in the UK was imposed - but the government here cannot go further than EU rules allow.
A voluntary ban on all imports is the only way to apply tougher sanctions.
Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne says the latest measures are a step in the right direction - but a self-imposed 'no import' regime would be better still (audio file attached):
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