Cowen says immediate and clear action was taken

Urgent and decisive action was needed when the presence of dioxins in Irish pork was confirmed, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said yesterday.

Explaining the decision to withdraw all Irish pork products from the shelves, Mr Cowen said that once the positive results come through on Saturday, and the experts had given their advice, his view was that the "action must be immediate and comprehensive and clear".

"I think it’s important that we did so in the interest of the consumer and in the interest of public health.

"That is a precautionary principle that had to be put in place. The appropriate action in that respect was taken and we move on now," he said.