ICSA president Sean McNamara has said it is untenable for Larry Murrin to serve as Chair of Bord Bia while also acting as CEO of Dawn Farms, a company that sources Brazilian beef. "This is a blatant conflict of interest. Bord Bia is responsible for promoting and protecting Irish food, so its Chair must fully support local farmers and not have business interests that work against them," he said.

Continuing Mr McNamara said, "The Chair of Bord Bia must stand for Irish farmers and Irish food, but here we see a serious conflict of interest. It is right that meat processors have a seat on Bord Bia, but the Chair should never be someone whose own business undercuts the very farmers Bord Bia is meant to support."

"With the Mercosur deal threatening our industry and farmers facing unfair competition, this situation is totally unacceptable. Brazilian beef comes with real food safety concerns, including the unregulated use of veterinary medicines and hormones banned here. Irish farmers work hard to produce the highest quality beef and they deserve full backing, not to be undercut by imports linked to the Bord Bia Chair's business."

Mr McNamara said ICSA is calling on Minister Martin Heydon and Bord Bia to act quickly to restore trust. "Irish farmers need a Chair who is 100% committed to defending their interests and protecting the integrity of Irish food, not one whose private business interests fly in the face of that mission."