Around 73,000 Dutch eggs have been withdrawn from German supermarkets after they were found to be contaminated with the pesticide fipronil.

The eggs were supplied by a Dutch biological farm to supermarkets in six German states, NOS reported. The German agriculture ministry said there was no risk to public health.

Last year Dutch eggs exported to 45 countries were found to contain fipronil, which is used on poultry farms to destroy fleas, ticks and lice, but is banned by the European Union in products for human consumption.

The insecticide was traced to a small poultry firm called Chickfriend, whose owners are being prosecuted for endangering public health.

Two weeks ago a poultry farmer from Overijssel had to destroy his flock of 3,000 chickens and 45,000 eggs that were ready for distribution after fipronil was found on his farm. Around 100 agricultural firms are still banned from trading because traces of the chemical have been found in their chicken waste.