Four new cases have been disclosed in the State this week.
The cases, all in seven-year-old cows, were discovered in counties Cork, Cavan, Roscommon and Monaghan.
This brings the total number of BSE cases this year to 178.
Of the cases disclosed this week one was identified by means of traditional passive surveillance. The other three were identified under the increased active surveillance programme instituted in July 2000. This requires the testing of all casualty and fallen cattle.
Over 660,000 tests were carried out in 2001 and almost 277,000 tests have been carried out this year to-date compared to about 126,000 in the same period last year.
The underlying trend remains positive, and the increasing age profile of animals confirmed with the disease, indicates that the enhanced controls introduced in 1996 and early 1997 are proving effective.
A statement from the Department of Agriculture and Food this afternoon said that the effectiveness of Ireland's BSE controls "was recognised by the EU's Scientific Steering Committee which indicated, in a report on Ireland's BSE risk published in May 2000, that controls in this country were stable from 1996 onwards, very stable from 1997 onwards, and optimally stable since 1st January, 1998".
The statement also says that the range of controls in place to protect consumers and to eradicate the disease continues to be rigorously enforced. "In particular it should be noted that specified risk material is removed from all cattle slaughtered".