France's agriculture ministry confirmed on Thursday that a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, had been discovered in the northeastern region of Ardennes.

The suspected case had been identified last week and reported on Tuesday but initial tests still needed to be confirmed.

This new case, which could hit beef exports at a time when French livestock farmers are already struggling, is the third in Europe since 2015, the ministry said.