Figures show BSE levels have fallen by half

The number of BSE cases on farms this year is running at half last year's levels, figures released by the Department of Agriculture…

The number of BSE cases on farms this year is running at half last year's levels, figures released by the Department of Agriculture today show.

The total number of cases is 56 compared to 105 for the same period in 2004. The sharp downward trend has continued since 155 were recorded for the equivalent period in 2003 and 284 in 2002.

Over 491,000 tests were carried out on carcasses between January and September 2005.

The effectiveness of the State's BSE controls has been recognised by the EU's Scientific Steering Committee.

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EU veterinary experts agreed in Brussels earlier this month to lift a four-year ban on popular T-bone steak because of the decline in BSE cases.

Sales of beef containing the backbone of animals aged over 12 months were outlawed in many European countries in 2001 to reduce the risk of catching the human equivalent of BSE - vCJD.

The restriction will now be be raised to 24 months following advice from the European Food Safety Authority.

PA