Fears that buried BSE cattle could infect water system

There are fears that the carcasses of buried BSE-ridden cattle could infect groundwater systems.

The Consumer Association of Ireland said Ireland could be facing a massive risk in the years to come, unless the cattle are dug up and disposed of elsewhere.

Thousands of BSE-infected carcasses are buried at locations throughout the country, many of which are unknown to the public.

The Chairman of the Consumers Association has called for the cattle to be exhumed immediately.

He said that it would be too late to discover in 10 years that a mistake had been made if residue from the carcasses had gone into the water system, prompting widespread outbreaks of the disease.