The National Brucellosis Eradication scheme was introduced in 1971, although some testing had been carried out before this date. Up to 31 August 1977 there had been carried out 141 101 dairy and 77 459 beef herd tests. The total cattle tested during the scheme (both initial and repeat tests) have been 20.5 million with 180 227 dairy and 61 401 beef reactors. The maximum yearly testing was in the seasons ending 1974 and 1975; more than 45,000 herd tests and 4 million cattle were tested each season. 16 398 dairy herds and 13 841 beef herds were accredited by 31 August 1977; these were 81.4% and 69.7% respectively of the total herds tested. It has been calculated that the overall cattle reactor rate was 0.2% at the end of the 1977 season. About 5% of accredited herds breakdown each year. It has been estimated that 94% of dairy herds and 91% of beef herds will be accredited by 1982.