THE number of cases of BSE in the Republic this year was likely to exceed 60, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, predicted.
He was speaking at a preview of the computer system which the Department is introducing at all meat export plants to provide information on cattle sent for slaughter, herd owners, premiums paid and the validity of the cards presented with each animal.
Mr Yates described the system, which was on display at Slaney Meats near Bunclody, Co Wexford, as a major step on the way to the full traceability demanded by consumers.
One of its uses, he said, would be to identify animals for the Russian market, which at present excludes beef from Cork, Tipperary and Monaghan. It would also prevent dealers and others from presenting cattle at factories under fictitious names.
