Govt confirms positive dioxin tests in cattle herds

The Government has confirmed that three cattle herds have tested positive for unsafe levels of dioxin as a result of contaminated feed provided by a Carlow-based supplier.

Tests had been conducted on 11 herds after it emerged that they were also given feed from the company at the centre of the pork contamination scare.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith confirmed today that three of the tests had come back positive, but he said the levels of dioxin were significantly lower than those detected in affected pigs.

The affected herds are being removed from the food chain.