The food recycler at the centre of the pork products scare last night insisted they were fully co-operating with the Republic’s Department of Agriculture as the crisis continued to evolve.

Millstream Recycle, which has been in operation for 15 years in Bunclody, Co Wexford, last night confirmed it was working with Irish government officials to identify the source of the PCBs found in the pig meal supplied to a number of farmers.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed the profile of PCB dioxins found was similar to those found in electronic transformer oils.

Paddy Rogan, chief veterinary officer at the Agriculture Department, said the individual supplier had co-operated in every way with the probe.

Last night, a spokesman for the company, which employs 15, confirmed its managing director Robert Hogg was “absolutely devastated” after spending 15 years building up the company.

The recycler has been shut down until all the results come back from the Department next week, according to the spokesman. Mr Hogg returned immediately from his honeymoon after his office contacted him with the Department’s concerns.

The spokesman said this was the first time Millstream Recycle had ever been involved in any health issues and were co-operating in every way.

Millstream will be carrying out a full investigation

He insisted the oil was not added to any of the food preparations, with the only oil used to power the machines to dry the feed. The spokesman said the company had always gone “above and beyond” the duty to comply with any Department requirements.

The company said it was consulting with its legal advisors, which limited what it could say on the matter.

However, the management and staff have always prided themselves on “exceeding the strict standards of quality and safety in all aspects of its production”.

The company said it had been regularly assessed by the Department of Agriculture and Food.

“Accepting the need for a recall, Millstream will be carrying out a full investigation to establish how the company’s strict health and safety procedures and the high quality standards could possibly have been breached,” a company statement said.

The company said it would continue to work with the Department to ensure any product sold to the pig industry is identified and recalled.