IFA ends protest at Bord Bia as review agreed

"I am pleased that my proposal for an independent governance review of the board of Bord Bia has been accepted and that the ongoing protest has been stood down. Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin will remain as chair of Bord Bia, but will not chair the meetings during the review process."

"The IFA's protest started on January 25 in response to revelations Dawn Farms, which Murrin is CEO of, imports Brazilian beef as part of its supply chain. During the period of the review, the normal schedule of board meetings will continue and according to the statement issued by the board, in the interests of moving forward, the board and chair have agreed that these meetings will be facilitated by another current board member."

"Murrin recently told an Oireachtas Committee he has never been conflicted in his role and that he has consistently acted in the best interests of Irish food and agriculture. Bord Bia is also progressing a new Farmers Forum, which will provide an opportunity for renewed engagement between farmers and Bord Bia."

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine commissioned an independent governance review of Bord Bia's board to be completed by April 30. During the review, regular board meetings will continue but be facilitated by another board member rather than current chairman Larry Murrin. The IFA initiated protests on January 25 after discovering that Murrin's company, Dawn Farms, imports Brazilian beef. Murrin maintains he has never been conflicted and consistently acted in Irish agriculture's best interests. The governance review proposal was accepted, leading to the IFA standing down its protest. Bord Bia is also establishing a new Farmers Forum for renewed engagement between farmers and the organization.

Read at Irish Independent