In Europe, investigations are underway into reports that BSE or mad cow disease has jumped species.

A report in The Times newspaper says a goat has been diagnosed with the fatal brain disease in France, but British scientists are playing down fears of a new BSE epidemic.

Anthony Gibson, from the National Farmers Union, says he doubts the disease has spread to other species.

"There's absolutely no evidence that has happened.

"What this is, probably, is evidence of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that's particular to goats in the same way that BSE is particular to cattle and scrapie is particular to sheep.

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Source: abc Rural
November 3, 2004

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