Germany has imported limited amounts of Irish pork and sees no public health threat the government said Monday (December 8) after Dublin reported the discovery of a toxic substance in slaughtered pigs.

Berlin ordered all Irish pork pulled from the shelves Sunday after Dublin said it had learned some products had been contaminated by dioxins, which have been linked to cancer.

Germany has imported only 2,000 tonnes of pork from Ireland since September 1, the period specified by Dublin in its warning, the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Ministry said.

"It presents no danger to consumers," a Ministry spokeswoman said.