Westmeath IFA chairman says Bord Bia chair "has to step down"

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Westmeath Irish Farmers Association (IFA) chairman Richard O'Brien has called for Chair of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin, to step down from his role, as the rolling IFA protest entered day 11.

The protest, which began on Monday, January 26, stems from a dispute over what the IFA have called the 'double standards' by Larry Murrin, Chair of Bord Bia, in regard to importing Brazilian beef into Ireland.

Larry Murrin, who is also CEO of Dawn Farm Foods, has been criticised because the company sourced some of its meat from Brazil last year.

"[It] may be legal. However, there is no farmer in Brazil who would meet a fraction of the standards set by Bord Bia for Irish farmers," read a statement on the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) website.

"Yet the Chair of Bord Bia is happy to purchase Brazilian beef and sell it to Irish consumers. At the same time he is constantly telling Irish farmers that they must reach even higher standards to satisfy his customers. This is total hypocrisy and double standards and has caused huge farmer anger on the ground."

Speaking from outside the Bord Bia Headquarters on Thursday, February 5, Westmeath IFA chairman Richard O'Brien said farmers would like to see a solution, but they are in it for the long haul.

“The simple message we have to get across is that Larry Murrin has to step down from Bord Bia," Richard said. "Our gripe is not with Bord Bia itself, we understand the importance of it, but I cannot see at this point why common sense hasn't prevailed.

"It's just a no-brainer. The members on the ground are calling smaller groups to come, because this will go on, and it's not going to be over today or tomorrow. We'd like to see a solution for this sooner rather than later, but we're here for the long haul if we need to be.”

On Tuesday, February 3, farmers occupied the HQ of Bord Bia in an escalation of the dispute over the role of the Chair and his business dealings with Brazil.

"Two days ago when some of our crew managed to enter the building here, they got a hostile reception in there," said Mr O'Brien, "but the atmosphere outside is very cooperative, with the toilet facilities and allowing food three times a day as well."

He added that public support has been vital in raising the spirits of the protesting farmers.

“The public passing by are very supportive. We haven't taken over the bus lane, but we're right beside it there, and every bus that passes by will beep just to keep a bit of spirit in us," he said.

Farmers also took their protest to the Dáil on Thursday, where they gathered outside as Mr Murrin arrived for an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting.

WATCH: