Sligo/Leitrim TD calls on Chair of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin, to resign his position as Chair

Sligo/Leitrim TD Martin Kenny has called on the Chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin to resign his position as Chair of Bord Bia following revelations that Dawn Farm Foods, which Mr Murrin is the managing director, sources Brazilian beef as a raw material for products it supplies.

Teachta Kenny said:  “It is very shocking to hear that an Irish food processor is importing Brazilian beef into Ireland, and then to find out that the managing director of that company is also the Chairperson of Bord Bia. Bord Bia is responsible for promoting Irish food, drink and horticulture around the world and developing new markets for Irish produce.

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“Bord Bia operates a quality assurance scheme for Irish farmers and ensures that our farmers produce food to the highest quality.  This scheme involves increased paperwork and record keeping for farmers, ensuring that animal movements are between quality assured farms, records of what animals are fed, what vaccines or remedies are given to animals.

“It is not acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia demands these standards and regulations of Irish farmers while at the same time in his own company he sources beef from Brazil where there is little or no animal welfare standards.

“I don’t believe it is acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin can remain in his position, and if he is not prepared to resign then I would call on the Minister for Agriculture to remove him from this position.”