Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My officials are currently engaged in discussions with producers and the industry with a view to putting in place the necessary framework to deal with issues relating to the slaughter of pigs that have been exposed to, or are suspected of having been exposed to contaminated animal feed. All pigs that are required to be slaughtered will be slaughtered humanely. To date and apart from a small number that were slaughtered for sampling and testing purposes, no pigs have been slaughtered. My officials are keeping the situation under review including the on farm situation and are examining the most appropriate options that are available for slaughter of affected pigs having due regard to their welfare.