Algeria has reportedly announced the temporary suspension of livestock imports, following the identification of a new serotype of foot-and-mouth disease.
Authorities have also moved swiftly to restrict the internal movement of livestock in the country.
Reports indicate that several livestock markets in Algeria have been closed and have set up control zones to curtail the spread of the virus.
It is not known how long the suspension will last and this is likely to depend on the extent of the outbreak and how quickly it is brought under control.
No official notification appears to have reached Irish authorities, but a number of exporters have been notified of the suspension by customers in Algeria.
Blow
The news is a blow to the Irish live export trade, with a couple of consignments of bulls already put together for the market and buying in full flow for at least one more.
