Poland's Veterinary officials have asked Irish authorities to allow them to take samples at an Irish meat plant in a dispute between the two countries over who is responsible for horse DNA found in beef products sold by an Irish firm to such food companies as Tesco and Burger King.

The Irish ABP Food Group has blamed the contamination of its beef burgers on the purchase last year of 170 tons of meat imported from Poland.

Polish authorities say their own investigations of several slaughterhouses and plants identified by Ireland as suppliers to ABP showed no meat, other than beef, had been sent to Ireland.

Poland exports 330,000 tons of beef products annually mainly to EU countries.