Results expected today on burger batch tests

Test results are expected today which will show whether horse meat was confined to one batch of burgers or was knowingly imported by the beef factory which made them.

A “complex” chain of production is being traced by Department of Agriculture officials but so far they have not found evidence that the Silvercrest Food manufacturers deliberately allowed equine product into their Monaghan plant.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney told the Dáil further DNA tests carried out at the factory by his officials on Tuesday “will bring clarity to this preliminary conclusion”.