MAD cow disease (BSE) has been detected in a cluster of cattle on the same Pembrokeshire farm.

The rural affairs ministry, DEFRA, has confirmed that three cows have tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on an unidentified farm in the county.

The first case was detected more than two months ago and two others were confirmed last week under the current compulsory testing programme for all animals born after July 31st,1996.

This is the most recent case of BSE confirmed in the UK and the first time there has been three cases in cows born after July 1996 with the same farm as origin.

A Welsh Assembly spokesperson, said: "Epidemiological investigations will be carried out to determine the source of the infection, as far as possible.

The total number of BSE cases detected in animals born after August 1st, 1996, remains low and has not been growing at a fast rate. The three cases may be related to the same source of infection and therefore do not represent an increase in incidence."

BSE was first recognised in the United Kingdom in November 1986.

The epidemic grew considerably and reached its peak in 1992, when 36,680 cases were confirmed.

Since then it has shown a steady decline with 309 cases reported last year.

Although there are still odd cases of BSE affecting cows around the county, it is unusual for a cluster of animals to be found with the disease.

Reports have suggested that if a number of cows have been struck by BSE a particular source may be responsible for the outbreak.

A possible link has been made to contaminated animal feed, which DEFRA said it would be investigating.

The vice-president of the NFU for England and Wales, Meurig Raymond, of Mathry, told the Western Telegraph that the general public should not be unduly concerned by the latest cases.

He said: "I believe these cattle were over 30 months old, which highlights to me and should highlight to the consumer that there are stringent tests in place and where there are positive cases there is no issue over the safety of food.

"The tests in place should reassure the general public that our beef is the safest in the world."