Next year the European Union is to give Malta 35,000 Euros for animal disease testing - the Maltese Agricultural Authorities will test cattle and sheep for BSE.

This is part of a European drive to fight animal disease in 25 EU countries - to cover transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) and a range of other animal diseases. The total EU budget will be 188, an increase of 30% on the previous year.

David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said \"We are dedicating increased resources in 2005 to fight animal diseases. Healthy animals are the key to safe food. Today’s decision reflects our on-going commitment to supporting pro-active monitoring, preventative action and disease eradication\".

The countries will have to test all cattle over 30 months old (for human consumption), all cattle that died on the farm, all emergency slaughtered cattle older than two years of age, and all animals deemed suspicious.