Competition Authority conducts search of IFA headquarters

The Competition Authority has confirmed its officers carried out a search of the headquarters of the IFA.

The Irish Farmers Association has described the operation as a "smash and grab" raid.

In a statement, the IFA says 15 officers from the Competition Authority raided the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin this morning and attempted to close down the IFA on foot of what it claims were allegations from retailers concerning the price of liquid milk.

IFA president John Bryan has described it as "unacceptable" and says taxpayers' money is being wasted in targeting farm families struggling to cope with high costs and collapsing margins, while retail multiples "pillage the profits" out of the food supply chain.

The Competition Authority has confirmed that a search warrant was executed and an operation conducted at the Irish Farm Centre, but says it does not comment further on any of its investigations.