Scrapie-free target seems far away

HOPES of achieving a scrapie-free Irish national sheep flock have been put on hold after 103 cases were confirmed in the 26 counties between February 2001 and February 2003.

Wexford topped the table with 44 cases, followed by Carlow (14), Wicklow (9), Kilkenny (7), Tipperary and Kildare with five each. Laois, Offaly and Waterford had three cases each, Roscommon, Westmeath and Galway two each and Cavan, Longford, Clare and Cork with one case each.

Dr Mary Henry raised the issue in the Senate last week. She said a scrapie-free Irish national sheep flock would be a splendid selling point in promoting lamb sales, both at home and abroad.