The Minister for Agriculture says the horse meat scandal is now a European problem that needs a European solution.

Simon Coveney has called a meeting of his European counterparts in Brussels tomorrow evening to discuss the issue with Ministers from other countries who have discovered horse DNA in beef.

Minister Coveney says consumers have been rocked by the scandal but Ireland has led the pace when it comes to the investigation.

UK, France call for action

The British government is believed to be considering a ban on EU meat exports while both France and Britain have called for the "criminals" who disguised horse meat as beef to be tracked down.

Minister Coveney has said new food testing standards will be introduced in Ireland on the back of the scandal which has spread across Europe.

He will brief Cabinet colleagues on the issue this morning.

Speaking on his way into that meeting he said the pressure is not off Ireland yet.