Ten cases of BSE were confirmed last month by the Department of Agriculture, two more than in the same month last year. They bring to 65 the total number so far this year, and confirm the prediction that BSE cases this year will exceed last year's total of 74, the highest since 1989 when the disease was first identified here.
Since 1989 there have been only 254 cases in herds in the State, but the rise in the October total compared with last year has caused disappointment in agriculture circles.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman said that the figures were higher last month because there were five Thursdays in it. Department vets read the results of tests each Thursday.
One of the most disappointing aspects of the October results is that one of the cows involved is only four years old.
Last year the Department legislated to remove any possibility of bone meal getting into animal food by ordering that feed for hens and pigs be prepared at separate mills from those compounding cattle feed.
The British authorities had discovered cross-contamination of cattle feed at mills where meat and bonemeal were being prepared for the whitemeat trade.
A dramatic rise in BSE cases last year brought about a crisis in the beef sector and led to a partial exports ban by Russia and the imposition of a ban by Egypt on live imports. This led to a steady decline in cattle prices. For the first time in a number of years, Ireland had to resort to the EU beef intervention system, which is used to buy up surplus beef and keep prices stable.
Two of last month's cases occurred in Meath, two in Cork, two in Donegal and one each in Cos Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Monaghan.
In all 686 animals, which make up the herds from which the infected animals came, will be slaughtered and removed from the food chain.
Traces of mad cow disease have been found in a Belgian beef cow in the first case to be reported in that country, according to the Belgian Agriculture Minister, Mr Karel Pinxten. The animal concerned was from a small farm in the southern province of Namur, he told a news conference.