Farmers call for Bord Bia chairman to resign as they protest outside offices

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Farmers will not have confidence in Bord Bia until its chairman resigns, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.

The IFA and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) have called for the resignation of Larry Murrin over claims of a conflict of interest.

The dispute arises out of Bord Bia’s responsibility for promoting Irish food and enforcing standards on Irish beef and revelations that Mr Murrin’s company Dawn Farm Foods had sourced some beef from Brazil for a contract.

The matter was discussed at a special meeting of the board of Bord Bia last week, after which its chief executive, Jim O’Toole, said it was in the “best interests” of Irish farmers for Mr Murrin to remain as chairman.

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has also expressed confidence in Mr Murrin.

But IFA president Francie Gorman contended it was in farmers’ best interests for Mr Murrin to stand down.

Mr Gorman, who sits on the board, said: “I don’t like having this focus on one individual, but the minister has to see the damage it is doing.”

🎥 IFA President Francie Gorman on the decision to begin protesting outside @Bordbia HQ in Dublin. pic.twitter.com/3lQ3i7eKjE

— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) January 26, 2026

The issue is particularly sensitive as the European Commission seeks to progress the Mercosur trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Irish farmers are concerned their beef exports to Europe would be at risk because of cheaper Brazilian beef entering the market, while also highlighting their own expenses on meeting standards set by Bord Bia.

Several IFA members called on the minister to remove Mr Murrin from his post as they gathered for a protest outside the offices of Bord Bia on Monday.

Patrick McCormick, national treasurer of the IFA, told the Press Association: “We’re here this morning seeking Larry Murrin to step down from his position, or for Minister Heydon to remove him from that position.”

Mr McCormick, a poultry and beef farmer from Monaghan, said: “We, as farmers, are very proud of the produce. We’re over 20 years trying to encourage farmers to take part in quality assurance schemes and Larry Murrin, by allowing his own company to import Brazilian beef, has undermined those schemes and undermined the confidence of farmers in Bord Bia and their Quality Approved (QA) schemes.

“Until Larry Murrin steps down, farmers will have no confidence in Bord Bia.”

He added: “Confidence must be restored – and we see only one way for that to happen.”

Mr Gorman said: “We will remain here until this matter is resolved. Ireland has built up a reputation for top-quality food on the back of the QA scheme and Origin Green. This requires the participation and confidence of farmers. This is vital if we are to continue to be successful on the global stage.”

Murrin’s position is untenable and Government must act now – @MaryLouMcDonald

"The government’s refusal to act is rapidly eroding confidence in Bord Bia. The government must exercise its power to remove him from the position."https://t.co/GPbbsK9nkt

— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) January 26, 2026

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Murrin’s position as “untenable”.

She said: “The Government’s refusal to act is rapidly eroding confidence in Bord Bia. The Government must exercise its power to remove him from the position.”

Mr Heydon defended Mr Murrin’s position and said it was “really important that commercially active people are on boards of commercial semi-state bodies”.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today With David McCullagh, he said: “I’ve backed farmers all year in my role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“I’ve backed us in getting them extension of nitrous derogation, I’ve backed their concerns and their position on what’s right for Irish agriculture and Irish beef sector in relation to Mercosur, I’ve made progress on changing our approach in relation to Bovine TB and challenges around acreage and many different issues.

“And while it might not feel to them right now, I’m absolutely doing what is in their best interest right now.”

Mr Heydon said deals like the one taken by Dawn Farm Foods were beneficial to Ireland, Irish exports and an “integral part of our food supply chain”.

He said the sourcing of the Brazilian beef related to requests from international client companies about contingency plans to source beef from other parts of the world should there be a food-safety scare.

He added that the board of Bord Bia had been briefed on the matter.