Dept: 'Animal feed plant did not use proper oil'

The Department of Agriculture has said the company in Co Carlow at the centre of the pork scare did not use proper oil in its machinery.

The revelation came this afternoon at a press conference in Government Buildings.

Dermot Ryan from the Department of Agriculture (pictured) said the oil used was inappropriate and that the operator of the plant didn't have the appropriate licence.

“We have established that the oil being used was not appropriate for this type of operation,” Mr Ryan said.

“Furthermore the type of oil that was being used in this drying operation - the operator would be required to have a licence from the EPA (Environment Protection Agency), and we have confirmed that the operator concerned did not have a licence.”