IFA to hold Mayo public meeting over ongoing Bord Bia controversy

The IFA will hold a public meeting in Claremorris on Thursday night to discuss the ongoing controversy around Bord Bia. The meeting will be held in the McWilliam Park Hotel and proceedings get underway at 8 p.m.

IFA Connacht regional chair Brendan Golden said farmers in the region are very annoyed about the double standards at play.

“There is huge anger on the ground over this issue. Not every farmer can get to Dublin to support the protest at Bord Bia. This meeting is an opportunity for farmers in the region to make their voice heard,” he said.

“The county chairs met at the weekend and decided to call this meeting, and we are delighted that the president is in a position to attend,” he said.

Public representatives from the region will be invited so they can hear the frustrations of farmers, said Mr. Golden.

He continued: “The outcome of last Friday’s meeting with the Department of Agriculture was very disappointing as it didn’t address the core issue, which is the collapse in trust in Bord Bia because of the actions of their chair.

“Ireland’s food exports are built on the back of the 55,000 farmers who are part of Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance schemes and audits. The QA schemes are a partnership between farmers and food producers, manufacturers, food service companies and Bord Bia. That partnership is being shattered.

“Farmers will not have confidence in Bord Bia while the chair’s company is importing Brazilian beef and chicken. Now it has also emerged that his company is not even part of the Bord Bia Food Processing QA scheme, despite the Bord Bia website saying it was. This is simply not credible.”

Added Mr. Golden: “Farmers cannot understand the stance of the minister on this. He has to realise the damage this is doing to the sector.

“I have no doubt there will be a strong message from the meeting.”