Minister doubles down on his support for Bord Bia chair

IFA organise protest in Newbridge for Saturday

The battle lines have become increasingly entrenched in the ongoing Bord Bia dispute this week. Minister Martin Heydon has doubled down in his support for Larry Murrin as chair, while the IFA are continuing to ramp up their protests, with one planned for Newbridge this Saturday at 2.30pm.

At a well attended regional meeting in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Wednesday night, the IFA's President, Francie Gorman explained Newbridge was selected for the protest as it is the Minister's home town.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening Minister Heydon stated: "Mr Murrin continues to have my full confidence to serve as Chair of Bord Bia."

The IFA are calling for the removal of the food agency's chair, Larry Murrin after it emerged his company, Dawn Farms, uses Brazilian beef in its meat products. Dawn Farms said Brazilian beef made up less than 1% of its overall supply last year.

The minister also referred to the ongoing discussions to resolve the issues and the "several commitments" entered into by Bord Bia and the Department to address issues raised. He noted the IFA's submission consisting of "seven strands".

"Of the seven strands, many relating to the QAS schemes, a significant number can be dealt with by the Farmers Forum which Bord Bia is establishing on foot of the February 13 meeting commitments."

"In addition, I am examining the option to commission an expert led Governance Review which would cover the other strands of the IFA proposal," said Minister Heydon. "I believe an external, independent and expert led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively."

"There has been detailed direct engagement by my Department with the IFA at senior official level to discuss a potential compromise.

"I have spoken to the IFA President in recent days, and I believe there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to this. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector."

Of the five IFA protestors - who include Richard Moeran from Cavan and Patrick McCormick from Monaghan - the minister urged the IFA to get them to step down.

He noted his proposal to establish an independently run governance review at Monday's board meeting of Bord Bia.

"The independent expert led Governance Review will objectively assess the matters raised and provide me with recommendations. "I ask the IFA to engage with these proposals in good faith, and to encourage the protestors still in the Bord Bia building to leave.

"In the meantime, 140 staff in Bord Bia remain unable to access their office for their normal work, as a result of the continued occupation of the building’s lobby by IFA protestors."

At Wednesday's IFA meeting the five protestors, speaking via video link, insisted they would not step down until Mr Murrin was no longer the chair of Bord Bia. At that stage they were facing into their 23rd night of their sit-in at the lobby, and the IFA attendance at the meeting, vocally supported them and calling for more pressure to be exerted to force the minister and government's hand.