Protests continue at Bord Bia over chairman's Brazilian beef imports
IFA members protest outside Bord Bia Offices in Dublin. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke
Farmers continue to protest at Bord Bia HQ in Dublin, calling for action against the company’s chair due to his business importing Brazilian meat.
The protests, which have now bled into their second week, continue with Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president, Francie Gorman, saying the move reflects the deep frustration and anger over the inaction by Bord Bia on this matter.
“The chair of Bord Bia and the Government have failed to recognise how this issue is undermining farmer confidence in Bord Bia. Our position has been quite clear on this: the position of the chair is untenable given that he imports Brazilian beef,” Mr Gorman said.
The IFA is also calling for Dawn Foods to declare how much poultry it imports from Brazil. Mr Gorman said the prolonged nature of this issue over the chair’s importation of Brazilian beef and poultry is having a “significant impact on the standing of Bord Bia.”
“It will take some time to rebuild confidence in Bord Bia among farmers. For every day that this goes on, it will take longer. Even at this stage, those who can retrieve the situation should step up and resolve the matter,” he said.
The IFA president also said he believed agriculture minister Martin Heydon had been “premature” in his backing of Larry Murrin.
“The resolve of our members is very strong. Rarely have I seen such a depth of feeling on an issue. Expecting farmers to reach higher and higher standards, while the chair ignores them with Brazilian beef, will only engender mistrust. The chair has to go,” Mr Gorman said.
