Northern Ireland-Cost of the cattle cull.

NORTHERN IRELAND-COST OF CATTLE CULL.

The Executive has agreed to give £7m to help cover the cost of a cattle cull in Northern Ireland following the dioxin contamination scare.

The money will also help compensate beef farmers and pig processors for their losses.

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said she hoped the money would ease the hardship some farms were experiencing.

"It’s a hardship package in recognition of what the farmers are going through at the moment," she said.

"In the present climate £7m was not easy to get at the Executive.

"We appreciate all our colleagues for the work they’ve done with us on this."