A case of 'mad cow' disease has been discovered on a farm in Wales - but the Government insists there is no risk to health.

In a statement the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans said it was an isolated case and the cow had not entered the food chain.

However, she did not identify the farm concerned.

The statement said: "The Welsh Government and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have confirmed a case of classical BSE in a single deceased bovine on a farm in Wales.

"It did not enter the human food chain and the Food Standards Agency and Public Health Wales have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case.

"Officials are working closely with DEFRA and the APHA to investigate the circumstances of this case."

The statement went on: "Whilst the disease is not directly transmitted from animal to animal, its cohorts, including offspring, have been traced and isolated, and will be destroyed in line with EU requirements.

"In addition to the measures we have in place for fallen stock and animal feed, there is a strict control regime to protect consumers. This includes the removal of ‘specified risk material’ such as the spinal column, brain and skull from carcasses.

"Identification of this case demonstrates that the controls we have in place are working well. Beef across the UK continues to be produced in compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health rules."

The statement said all animals over four years of age that die on a farm are routinely tested for BSE under the Government's "comprehensive surveillance system".

The last case of 'mad cow' disease recorded in Wales was in 2013.