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Initial tests were carried out when the animal’s carcase was brought to a knackery yard in the Ardennes district near the Belgian border.
The ministry said it had sent samples to the EU reference laboratory on BSE to confirm the diagnosis. This is expected to be done in the next eight to 10 days.
French officials are also conducting an investigation to establish how the disease entered the herd, if confirmed.
The rest of the herd has been placed under veterinary surveillance.
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