Cowen welcomes end of IFA protest and Bord Bia review

Ireland Midlands-North West MEP Barry Cowen has described the decision of Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin to temporarily step aside from chairing board meetings while remaining on as chair of the state agency, as "appropriate and proportionate."

Mr. Murrin's position at the helm of Bord Bia has been mired in controversy since news broke that his company, Dawn Farms, was importing some Brazilian beef for use in its products, with members of the IFA engaged in a sit-in protest outside the offices of Bord Bia for the past month.

The IFA ended their protest yesterday (Monday) after the board members of Bord Bia agreed to an independent-led review into its operations..

Barry Cowen said the decision that Larry Murrin will step aside from chairing board meetings "acknowledges the seriousness of the current situation, while respecting his retained position as chair of the board." He also stressed the importance of the issues raised being subjected to "proper consideration, independent assessment and clear recommendations, including those advanced by the IFA."

The former Offaly Fianna Fail TD said farmers had "made their views clear" as part of their sit-in protest, and the focus should now turn to "completing the review in a timely and transparent manner." He added that what matters most is that Bord Bia can continue to promote Irish produce at home and abroad with the full confidence of farmers and the wider agri-food community."

Speaking at a sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in February, MEP Cowen said it was time for Ireland to move on from the controversy surrounding Larry Murrin.

While describing the events surrounding Bord Bia as ""deeply regrettable", Mr. Cowen said “the facts are clear......The Chair of Bord Bia has confirmed that less than 1% of beef sourced by his company was Brazilian.”

He said Mr. Murrin had explained that this was done for “contingency supply in global contracts - a legal, regulated and standard practice” and added that the explanation given by the Bord Bia chairman hadn't stopped "a personalised campaign being launched against him."

MEP Cowen told the European Parliament sitting in February "it’s beyond time for all parties to come to the table and resolve this responsibly - including through increased farmer representation on governance boards, if necessary. Because current divisiveness is helping no one."