The Stormont executive has approved a week-long suspension of the import of breeding animals into Northern Ireland from bluetongue affected areas.
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said the move was designed to keep "our bluetongue disease free status intact".
The disease has been detected in imported cattle on a County Antrim farm.
But it is yet to be detected elsewhere so Northern Ireland remains officially bluetongue free.
The Republic's Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan announced a similar move last Friday.
"These controls bring us into line with the south and are in response to emerging science around how the bluetongue virus might be transmitted and additional risks that might be posed by pregnant animals," said Ms Gildernew.
"The import controls are a proportionate response and we will continue to maintain our rigorous testing system on those animals already imported.
"In terms of the industry, I will leave it to them to consider carefully whether they should adopt a complete voluntary ban in order to protect farming here. I would strongly advise and welcome that action."
It is thought an outbreak of bluetongue disease would cost the Northern Ireland agriculture industry millions of pounds in lost revenue.
