Farming News - ICSA: Minister Heydon Must Act As Bord Bia Board Fails To Remove Chair
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ICSA: Minister Heydon Must Act As Bord Bia Board Fails To Remove Chair
ICSA president Sean McNamara has said it is now indefensible for Larry Murrin to remain as Chairman of Bord Bia after the board met today, discussed the conflict of interest surrounding his position, and still failed to act. "Let's be clear. The issue was raised, it was discussed, and nothing was done. Larry Murrin remains Chair of Bord Bia, despite overseeing a business that sources Brazilian beef. That is not acceptable to Irish farmers and it should not be acceptable to the Minister."
ICSA members gathered outside Bord Bia's offices in Dublin today to protest Mr Murrin's continued position as Chair, following confirmation that Dawn Farms, where he is CEO, sources Brazilian beef.
Continuing Mr McNamara said, "Bord Bia exists to promote Irish food and back Irish farmers. Yet its Chair is linked to Brazilian beef at a time when Mercosur threatens to flood the market with unfair imports. That is a clear conflict of interest, and farmers are rightly angry."
Mr McNamara said the responsibility for resolving this issue now lies squarely with the Minister for Agriculture. "If Bord Bia will not act, then Minister Heydon must. He needs to replace Mr Murrin with a Chair who puts Irish farmers first, not one whose business interests work against them. Irish farmers deserve better than this."