Clear message sent to Bord Bia from Mayo farmers meeting last night

HUNDREDS of farmers have turned out for a protest meeting in Claremorris over the ongoing controversy around Bord Bia.

The McWilliam Park Hotel had a capacity crowd as a clear message was sent to Bord Bia: farmers want to see chairman Larry Murrin removed from his position.

Farmers fully backed a decision taken in recent days by the Mayo IFA county executive calling on Mr. Murrin to step down, as the organisation nationally continues its protest IFA members have been protesting at Bord Bia's headquarters over the use of Brazilian beef by Mr. Murrin's company, Dawn Farms.

IFA president Francie Gorman said the huge attendance at last night’s meeting in Claremorris drives home the message that a new chair is needed to begin the process of rebuilding confidence in Bord Bia.

Mr. Gorman, who attended the meeting, said afterwards: “What was clear last night is that as well as a new chair, a review of Bord Bia will also be needed,” he said.

Over 700 farmers were in the room to express their anger about the current controversy.

“The crowd was unanimous that a new chair is needed as part of the process of rebuilding trust among farmers. We cannot have a chair of Bord Bia whose company imports Brazilian beef and Brazilian chicken and is not part of the relevant Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme,” said Mr. Gorman.

It’s clear that a broader review of Bord Bia is also needed, he added.

The five farmers who have occupied the Bord Bia head offices since February 3 joined the meeting via video link and were given a sustained standing ovation for their efforts on behalf of everybody involved in the campaign.

Mr. Gorman said the resolve of farmers on this issue is epitomised by the five who have stayed the course since earlier this month.

“Our roster of farmers from around the country to maintain the protest outside Bord Bia is now set out until March 9, and can be rolled over for as long as is needed,” he said.

“The depth of feeling on this issue has gotten a lot stronger since it emerged that the chair’s company doesn’t even bother to be part of the relevant Bord Bia QA scheme.”