Bord Bia governance review did not address central issue of controversy, say farming bodies
The IFA, ICMSA, and ICSA react to the Bord Bia governance review.
Following the publication of an independent review of Bord Bia’s governance, key stakeholder representatives have spoken up on the findings.
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman, whose organisation spearheaded protests over the perceived conflict of interest involving Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin, is seeking an urgent meeting with minister of agriculture Martin Heydon regarding the review.
“There are a number of very important recommendations in this review, which are a clear acknowledgement that significant change is needed. However, the report did not deal with a number of wider issues as they were deemed to be outside the scope of the governance review. This is acknowledged in the review itself,” Mr Gorman said.
Mr Gorman highlighted that only board members and senior Bord Bia staff were interviewed for the review. “It only looked at structure and certain practices — it did not consider the issues that caused this dispute,” he said.
The understands that a meeting between minister Heydon and the IFA is set to take place on the afternoon of June 18.
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“There are a number of matters arising from the report and others that are not dealt with in the report that I want to discuss directly with the minister,” Mr Gorman concluded.
Also commenting on the report, the president of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, said the ICMSA noted the contents of the report, which will be considered by the association’s board at its next meeting.
“ICMSA considers it critical that the focus of Government and Bord Bia turns now to the milk price that is below the cost of production for nine months, and the absolute crash in beef prices that is in the process of wiping out the profits made in 2025 — the first time in three decades that farmers made money supplying beef.
"There has been a very definite feel amongst farmers that the Government’s eyes have been ‘off the ball’ for far too long and we need to get back to focussing on matters that go directly to protecting farm income immediately,” said Mr Drennan.
Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) president Sean McNamara said the review does not address the fundamental issue at the heart of the controversy surrounding Bord Bia.
"The review was commissioned to examine governance structures and board effectiveness. It was not asked to determine whether Larry Murrin should remain as chair of Bord Bia and therefore it does not resolve the issue that has led so many farmers to question the leadership of the organisation,” Mr McNamara said.
"While the review found no fundamental governance failures, it is notable that it identified a need for stronger procedures around conflicts of interest and clearer guidance for board members.
"However, the central concern raised by farmers was never primarily about governance structures. It was about whether the chair of Bord Bia can credibly represent and promote Irish food while simultaneously leading a company that imports beef from Brazil.”
Mr McNamara said it was never simply a legal or technical issue but “a matter of credibility”, saying that farmers will find it impossible to reconcile the two roles and that the review does not change that.
"At a time when beef farmers are watching factory prices fall despite repeated assurances about market fundamentals, they are looking to Bord Bia to champion Irish beef and strengthen returns from the marketplace.
"That requires farmers to have faith in the organisation and its leadership. The reality is that many farmers feel that faith has been badly damaged and this review does not address the reason why,” he said.
Mr McNamara concluded, saying that the ICSA’s position remains unchanged on the matter, believing that Larry Murrin should step aside as chair of Bord Bia.
“The review may deal with board procedures, but it does not answer the simple question farmers have been asking for months: how can the chair of Bord Bia credibly promote Irish beef while leading a company that imports beef from Brazil?"
