The company being accused of importing horsemeat-tainted burgers into the country has claimed they never bought or traded in horse meat.

ABP Food Group says they are not to blame for the horse meat controversy, and that no imported ingredients are used in their products.

Minister for Agriculture and Food Simon Coveney says ABP Foods need to back up their claims.

On Thursday the Silvercrest plant in Monaghan which is owned by ABP foods suspended processing at it's plant following test results which found the presence of horse meet in 10 samples of the 20 tested.

Minister Coveney says ABP's story does not add up.