The number of cases of BSE confirmed last week was 13, according to the Department of Agriculture. The new cases bring to 34 the total so far this year and reflect the increasing number detected in the national herd by active surveillance.
Active surveillance was ordered by the EU last year to seek out possible cases of the disease at knackeries and other premises which process ill or injured animals not destined for the human food chain.
Since the introduction of the additional testing in both knackeries and meat plants on all animals over 30 months going into the food chain, there has been a dramatic increase in identified BSE cases.
Last year the figures jumped to the highest level yet of 246. Department scientists said that increase from 149 in 2000 reflected the additional testing. The animals came from farms in Cavan, Wexford, Cork, Monaghan, Waterford, Roscommon, Donegal, Kilkenny and Limerick.