The incidence of BSE in the Republic continues to fall, according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.
There were no new cases of the bovine disease for the second week in a row, leaving the number of detections so far this year at 68.
This compares with 102 cases for the same period in 2003 and with 176 cases for the same period in 2002.
The Department of Agriculture said: "The underlying trend remains positive and the increasing age profile of animals confirmed with the disease indicates that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and early 1997 are proving effective."
"The range of controls in place to protect consumers and to eradicate the disease continues to be rigorously enforced."
Since 2001 tests are carried out on all cattle over 30 months which are destined for human consumption and all casualty animals.
Over 2.05 million tests have been carried out up to the end of 2003 under the Department's active surveillance programme (over 662,000 in 2001; over 688,000 in 2002 and over 700,000 in 2003). In addition over 148,000 tests were carried out from January to March 2004.