A Scottish farm has been placed into quarantine after a case of mad cow disease was uncovered among its livestock.
The Scottish Government said that precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the farm in Ayrshire, covering animals which have been in contact with the infected cow.
The case was identified as a result of routine surveillance and stringent control measures, and the animal did not enter the human food chain.
Food Standards Scotland have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case.
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Further investigations to identify the origin of the disease, scientifically known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), are ongoing.
Scotland’s agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Ayrshire, the Scottish Government and other agencies took swift and robust action to protect the agriculture sector. This included establishing a precautionary movement ban on the farm.
“The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working effectively.
“I want to thank the animal’s owner for their diligence. Their decisive action has allowed us to identify and isolate the case at speed which has minimised its impact on the wider industry.”
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Scotland’s chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas said: “The fast detection of this case is proof that our surveillance system is doing its job.
“We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and other partners to identify where the disease came from.
“I want to reassure both farmers and the public that the risk associated with this isolated case is minimal. But, if any farmers are concerned, I would urge them to seek veterinary advice.”
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