Japan, on Wednesday, confirmed its 25th case of BSE in 5-year-old Holstein cow. The cow, which was destined for meat slaughter, was from the Okayama prefecture in western Japan. This is the fourth case of BSE in Japan this year.

A 20-month-old steer, which earlier this week was suspected of having BSE infection, tested negative in follow-up testing, according to a Japanese Agricultural Ministry official. -- Stephanie Veldman