Noonan: Suspected BSE case 'not a cause of economic concern yet'

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has played down fears that the discovery of a suspected case of BSE at a farm in Co Louth could damage Ireland's economy.

Tests that are being carried out on the dairy cow will be completed next week and are expected to confirm the first instance of 'mad cow disease' here since 2013.

Speaking to Clare FM, Minister Michael Noonan admitted the discovery is disappointing.

However, he is confident it will not spell bad news for Ireland's reputation abroad, provided it remains a one-off.

"The Department of Agriculture has very strong tractability schemes in place, and already I'm sure the three calves that that particular cow had have been traced and proper action will be taken to isolate them," he said.

"I'd have a lot of confidence in the way the Department of Agriculture manage these affairs - they've managed very well in the past.

"But it is disappointing - but it's not a cause of economic concern yet" he added.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said that investigations into the BSE scare will focus on cattle feed.

Minister Coveney says the mother of the animal was imported, and his Department will probe whether she was infected with the disease.

However, he said that any use of banned meat and bonemeal feed would be at the centre of the probe.

"The most likely scenario here is that an animal will have eaten meal that has resulted in contracting the disease," he said.

"And my understanding is that you only need to eat a very small volume of meal that can cause that infection."

Bord Bia has moved to reassure consumers that Irish beef is 100% safe.

CEO Aidan Cotter says safety measures have been in place for decades.

"There is no risk to consumers in this particular case - the animals was removed prior to it being presented for slaughter, for processing, so there was no prospect of it entering the food chain" he said.

"Really, I think the authorities have got significant controls around the whole area of BSE - it's been in place now for decades at this stage".

"Consumers can have complete confidence" he added.

President of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, John Comer, says it is important there is no scare-mongering.

"Certainty there's concern, but what we need to get to here is the facts," he said.

"There's a lot speculation currently as we speak about hypotheses of what might and might not caused this have happened, how was it transferred and how did this particular animal contract BSE."