Smith believes swift response will aid recovery

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has admitted the discovery of dioxins in Irish pigs was damaging, but was confident a swift response would help restore faith in the farming industry.

Mr Smith last night said he had spent the day meeting experts and a large delegation from the retail sector on the impact of the recall of all pork products.

He said the “immediate and decisive” response by the Irish agencies had been hailed by the European Commission and was necessary to show other markets pork was safe.