BSE increase in the North

Random tests carried out by the Department of Agriculture in the North have detected a higher incidence of BSE in cattle over 30 months of age.

Stormont Agriculture Minister Brid Rogers confirmed that tests on 2500 cattle, not destined for the food chain, identified 54 cases of the disease.

The tests were carried out in advance of an EU-wide screening programme and were designed to help the North's case for a lifting on their beef exports to Europe.

The SDLP minister stressed the tests also revealed that animals under four years of age did not test positive for BSE, proving that measures to eradicate the disease introduced in 1996 were working.

"I want to stress that, while these results are disappointing, they are not entirely surprising. My department targeted the highest risk group of cattle - old sick animals," she added.

"None of them would have entered the food chain. Since this was a high risk sample, it should not be assumed that the level of BSE we found was representative of the overall picture."