The fire at Irish pig processor Glanbia could be the biggest agrifood loss in Ireland's history, insiders have said.

Experts have estimated the loss at £50m, after fire destroyed the Roscommon plant on 8 May.

It is understood that Allianz and AIG have minor shares in the loss and the rest is spread around the London Market.

GAB Robins' Irish major incident team is handling the claim. GAB director Niall Pritchard said Glanbia had mitigated its loss, even before the fire was put out, by moving operations to its two other facilities straight away.

"The business continuity plan was able to deal with the worst effects immediately," he said.

Over 200 people had lost their jobs in the local area, where Glanbia was by far the largest employer, he said.

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