Hours after the Russian authorities announced the lifting of a ban on the supply of beef from five Irish counties, the Department of Agriculture and Food released monthly BSE figures which show an increase on this time last year.
The Department recorded 13 cases of the disease for October. October of last year had nine cases.
The cases bring to 70 the number of cattle found with the disease so far this year. It is likely that the 1999 total will exceed last year's 83 cases.
This month's cases were found in two herds in each of Cos Cavan, Monaghan and Laois and single cases in herds in Cos Tipperary, Offaly, Carlow, Waterford, Meath, Wexford and Clare.
However, there is a positive side to the figures as the youngest cows diagnosed were five years old, indicating that feeding controls over the last five years are now beginning to take effect.
Meanwhile, there was a welcome for the lifting of the Russian county ban on Cos Tipperary, Cork, Donegal, Limerick and Clare. However, the Russians will continue to reject beef produced in Cos Cavan, Meath and Monaghan, which have a higher rate of BSE.
The beef trade to Russia will be worth £100 million by the end of the year. Exports to Russia had fallen off dramatically in recent years. In 1996, the trade was worth over £200 million. It fell to £130 million in 1997, and to £60 million last year.
The removal of the ban was welcomed by An Bord Bia, the Irish food board, which said the recognition of the State's controls by the Russian authorities was very welcome.
The Irish Meat Association spokesman, Mr John Smith, said he welcomed the lifting of the ban as it would make sourcing beef for the Russian market easier. He said he expected the Russians would be back in the markets looking for Irish beef next year but he did not expect an immediate contract.
The Irish Farmers' Association said the lifting of the ban was a significant injection of confidence in the Irish beef sector and confirmation that the Russian authorities were satisfied with the State's success in tackling the BSE problem.