A five-year-old cow in the Ardennes region of northeastern France may have the brain-wasting affliction known as mad cow disease, says Reuters. If confirmed, it would be the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the country since 2004.
Tissue samples were sent to a British laboratory for tests, with results expected in eight to 10 days, according to the Agriculture Ministry. It was just last year that France regained the best rating, of “negligible risk” of mad cow, from the World Organization for Animal Health, known by its French abbreviation OIE.
“France’s livestock sector is currently facing a severe crisis, drawing protests from farmers and prompting national and European Union aid schemes,” said Reuters. It said cattle farmers complained of low market prices, while the pork and dairy sectors were hit by a drop in exports.