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A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on an Aberdeenshire farm.
This is the first case in Scotland for 10 years. It has been detected as part of routine testing when an animal over four years old dies on a farm.
The Scottish Government has stated that preventive movement restrictions had been put in place on the farm, which would likely be in the Huntly area, and that further investigations were under way to identify the origin of the disease.
He said the disease was not a threat to human health.
Fergus Ewing, Secretary of the Rural Economy, said: "Following the confirmation of a classic case of BSE in Aberdeenshire, I activated the Scottish Government's action plan to protect our valuable agricultural sector. including the introduction of a ban on movement on the farm.
"It is important to point out that it is a standard procedure until we have understood the origin of the disease, this is a further evidence that our surveillance system to detect this type of disease works.
"Rest assured that the Scottish Government and its partners are ready to respond to any new confirmed case of the disease in Scotland."
Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Sheila Voas, said: "Although it is too early to tell where the disease comes from, its detection proves that our surveillance system is doing its job. We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to answer this question and, in the meantime, urge all farmers who have concerns to immediately seek advice from a vet. "
Ian McWatt, Chief Operating Officer of Food Standards Scotland, said: "Strict controls are in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on feed and the removal of parts of livestock to be infected with BSE.
"Consumers can be reassured that these important safeguards remain in place and that the official veterinarians and meat hygiene inspectors of Food Standards Scotland working in all slaughterhouses in Scotland will continue to ensure that consumer safety remains the priority of consumers. We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government, other agencies and the sector at this time. "
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