Cow culled after single case of BSE found on farm

A non-contagious case of BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease, has been identified on a farm in Essex.

The government said the animal was humanely culled and there was no risk to public health, as it was not destined to enter the food chain.

The "atypical" strand of the disease would not affect food safety, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss added: "The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime."

Millions of cattle were culled in the UK during a BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) epidemic in the 1990s.

Ms Middlemiss said only one case was detected at the Essex farm.

She said it was "atypical" BSE rather than "classical" BSE, adding it occurred spontaneously.

"This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working," Ms Middlemiss added.

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