SIX cases of BSE were recorded in April, bringing the 1997 total to 30, according to figures released yesterday by the Department of Agriculture.
Three were in herds in Co Meath, two in Monaghan and the sixth was in a dairy herd in Co Dublin and will involve the slaughter of a total of 612 animals.
The first case was found in a five year old cow in a dairy herd of 230 animals in Meath. The Dublin case was a six year old cow in an 88 strong herd.
The third was found in a 30 cow suckler herd in Co Monaghan where the diseased cow was five years old. The next two cases were in Co Meath in dairy herds of 140 and 94 animals. Both cows were six year olds.
The final case, a six year old cow, was also in a dairy herd in Monaghan. The herd consisted of 30 animals.
The number of cases identified here since 1989 stands at 219. The annual number remained at less than 20 until last year when they reached 74.