A suspected case of BSE in a cow on a Co Louth dairy farm is a "setback", Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.
Mr Kenny said the case, which he expected to test positive for the disease, was an isolated incident but still an obvious concern.
“This is an isolated incident; it is one we are obviously concerned about. It’s been highlighted because of the exceptionally rigid system we have for detecting abnormalities in the system,” he said, speaking at opening of new wing of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.
“So obviously everybody has been informed of this. It will be about a week or ten days before conclusive evidence of what exactly this is. I think it’s accepted it will be a positive test when it’s absolutely confirmed.
“So it’s a setback. It puts us back to a situation we were in. But I would hope that we would have accuracy and full understanding of how this actually happened, or how this came to light.”
The Taoiseach said export partners in newly opened markets in the United States and China have been informed of the case.
“Obviously they have been informed. It is an isolated case but it’s a disappointment, to put it mildly, given the very rigid standards and the very high level of integrity and credibility that we have in our systems that this has come to light.”
He added: “I don’t have all the details but I understand that the animal was bought in, so I’m not sure whether it was carrying the virus at that point or not.”
