Johannesburg- Less than a week after South Africa suspended imports of all meat and dairy products from the European Union because of the Irish pork dioxin contamination, the ban was relaxed Wednesday.

"The temporary suspension on the importation of animal products from the EU (excluding Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland) will be lifted," the department of agriculture in Pretoria said in a statement.

South Africa on December 9 announced a blanket ban on EU meat and dairy imports over the discovery of dioxin in Irish pork products. The extension of the ban to all 29 members had shocked EU officials.

Since issuing the ban, South Africa had received additional information about the dioxin contamination, the department said Wednesday, explaining the about-turn.

Consignments of pork and products containing pork from the Republic of Ireland that was produced between September 1 and December 7 would still be returned or destroyed, the department said. Imports from Northern Ireland were also on standby pending further information.

But shipments from the rest of the EU that were being held would be released, it said. (dpa)