The number of cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) so far this year are less than half of those recorded in the same period last year.
There was one case of BSE disclosed this week, bringing the total for the year to-date to 15 cases. This time last year a total of 31 cases had been recorded.
The total number of confirmed cases in 2006 was 41. This compares with 69 cases for the year 2005, with 126 cases in 2004, with 182 cases in 2003 and with 333 cases in 2002, the highest annual total on record.
Under the Department of Agriculture and Food's active surveillance programme, testing of a proportion of fallen stock and cattle destined for human consumption was initiated in July 2000.
This was extended in January 2001 to test all cattle over 30 months destined for human consumption and all casualty animals.
Since July 2001 all fallen cattle are also tested. Over 3.52 million tests have been carried out up to the end of 2005 under the active surveillance programme and over 845,000 tests were carried out during 2006. "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," a department statement said this weekend.
The effectiveness of Ireland's BSE controls was recognised by the EU's Scientific Steering Committee which indicated, in a report on Ireland's BSE risk published in May 2000, that controls in this country were stable from 1996 onwards, very stable from 1997 onwards, and optimally stable since January 1st, 1998.
"The range of controls in place to protect consumers and to eradicate the disease continues to be rigorously enforced. In particular, it should be noted that specified risk material is removed from all cattle slaughtered," the statement continued.
This week's case was found in Co Sligo. The case was identified using traditional passive surveillance, in other words, it was identified on the farm by either its owner or a vet.