IFA’s conference blunder highlights need for hotels to serve Irish food
Féile Bia is a Bord Bia scheme to promote Irish food. Participating hotels and restaurants which display the Féile Bia logo are committed to use high-quality Irish food.
Limerick IFA now wants an explanation from the Association’s governing body for its selection of two Limerick hotels to stage three national farming functions.
The hotels were not affiliated to the Bord Bia scheme at the time and nearby Féile Bia hotels could have accommodated the functions.
Limerick IFA have unanimously condemned the hotel selection of their Dublin HQ, claiming it undermined their efforts to ensure that all Limerick hotels join the Bord Bia scheme, now in its second year of operation.
Limerick Chairman Michael O’Flynn said it was hypocritical for IFA not to practice what it preached about supporting Irish food production.
His criticism cameafter the IFA National Council called on farmers not to support this week’s Teagasc National Dairy Conference, because it was taking place in a hotel not affiliated to Féile Bia.
However, it is understood that the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney has arranged to become affiliated before today’s dairy conference, at which about 1,300 farmers are expected to attend.
Michael O’Flynn said: “When farmers’ produce is sold locally it benefits everybody. There is full traceability of Irish food in place, at considerable cost to farmers, and we believe consumers should have the choice to go to a hotel where they know they will be served Irish food.”
A list of Féile Bia participants is available on the www.bordbia.ie website.
