Scrapie tests are increased

THE search for scrapie infected sheep flocks is to be stepped up.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh told the Dáil at least 45,000 rapid tests will be carried out per year for scrapie at slaughterhouses, plus 4,500 tests at fallen animal collection centres.

Minister Walsh, replying to Fine Gael TD Paul McGrath, said a combination of factors, including its rising profile as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in the same family of diseases as BSE, has led to a more pro-active approach to eradicating scrapie.