Govt and processors agree €180m compensation deal

Irish pork products should start returning to the shelves in the coming days following agreement on a compensation deal between the Government and pig-meat processors.

The processors had been refusing to reopen their factories until a deal was reached on compensation for the recall and destruction of all Irish pork and bacon products on Saturday.

The deal will cost taxpayers €180m and will include a recall and slaughter scheme, as well as assistance in the destruction of recalled stocks.

The Irish pig-meat processing industry has been in complete shutdown since Saturday's announcement that animals on a number of farms had been given contaminated feed.

The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, said last night that the Government's key objective was now to restore confidence in Ireland's pork export markets.