A Clare farmer says his sector feels “betrayed” following revelations that the firm run by the head of Bord Bia uses Brazilian beef in its products.
The chair of the semi-state agency has dismissed the backlash to the news, which has triggered protests, as “emotional nonsense”.
Outrage was sparked earlier this month after it emerged that Dawn Farm Foods, of which Bord Bia boss Larry Murrin is managing director, uses beef sourced from Brazil in its supply.
This Brazilian beef, the firm says, accounted for 1% of its output in 2025.
The revelation has come at a time when farmers are continuing to rail against the controversial Mercosur deal which would see 99,000 tonnes of beef from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay enter EU markets each year.
In this context, farming representative groups and politicians have accused Murrin of a conflict of interest and have called for his resignation or removal from the role.
The Irish Farmers’ Association has held a rolling protest outside the Bord Bia offices in Dublin over the last few days.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, who’s backed the under fire boss, has today said some members of the organisation haven’t read the briefing documents provided on the issue.
Murrin has branded the IFA’s response to the revelation as “emotional nonsense,” a comment the organisation claims has “enraged” farmers.
Feakle-based IFA County Chair, Stephen Walsh says people are concerned that the reputation of Irish beef is on the line.
Following a meeting of farming representative groups this week, a letter has been written to the Agriculture Minister calling for the resignation or removal of the Bord Bia Chair as well as a change to the “structure and composition” of the board.
Among those contributing to the letter was the Beef Plan Movement.
The group’s Chair in this county, Quilty farmer Joseph Woulfe, says there’s a feeling of betrayal among people on the ground.
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