In total, 626 pigs were sampled at 14 abattoirs that together process 80% of the annual UK pig slaughter throughput.

The owner of the Alberta pigs slaughtered them because packers refused to accept them.

The results show a relatively low pathogenic Y. enterocolitica prevalence in pigs slaughtered in Sardinia.

Multiply that by the 100 million pigs slaughtered each year in the U.S., and it's a billion-dollar industry.

We are looking at ways of having those pigs slaughtered and broken down into what could be consumer-ready products.''

Tom Barry (North Cork) made his allegation on RTÉ radio yesterday when he said Nama wanted pigs slaughtered on a farm under its control.