17 BSE cases found in last 12 months

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that Ireland has had 17 cases of

BSE in the last 12 months.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh confirmed that the cases had arisen, despite the Department's policy of testing all cattle over 30 months of age for the disease.

However, Minister Walsh said the number of positive cases was 'miniscule' in the context of Ireland's 147,000 herds of cattle.

He added that the incidents appear to have peaked and said the number of cases seems to be on the wane.