Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Last year there was a 30% reduction in the number of cases and this month, in comparison to January 2004, there has been a considerable decrease in the number of animals with BSE. The small number of those who tested positive since the restrictions, cause concern and a thorough investigation is being carried out by Department officials to ascertain the cause of young animals contracting, BSE. In normal circumstances they are around five years of age and it is often difficult to get a definitive answer. I have been advised, however, that there would be an expectation that a number of animals would present positive results after the systems were introduced. We would like to see the complete eradication of this disease. In the advent of a case arising outside the timeframe, we vigorously examine the reason for it.

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