FOUR more cases of BSE have been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, bringing to 58 the number of cases identified so far this year. The new cases are in Cork, Tipperary and Cavan.
The first case in Cavan involved a five year old dairy cow in a herd of 57. The other case in the county involved another five year old in a dairy herd of 35. The case in Cork concerned a six year old cow in a 150 strong herd. The case in Tipperary was in a herd of 77 and the animal was a six year old dairy cow.
The Department says all the infected animals will be destroyed and disposed of in accordance with its regulations.
The new case in Cork is the 13th so far this year in the county. There have been 43 cases since 1989 when the disease was first officially recognised. This is the fifth case in Tipperary this year and the ninth since 1989. There have been nine cases in Cavan since 1989. This is the fourth this year.
Monaghan, Cork and Tipperary have been excluded from supplying meat to the lucrative Russian market because of high levels of BSE. Last week when four new cases were announced, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, said they would not have an impact on the Russian agreement, due to be reviewed in January.
He also predicted the number of cases would not exceed 60 this year. There were 16 last year.