Sligo Council express unanimous support for removal of Bord Bia Chairman Larry Murrin

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A delegtaion from the IFA was present in County Hall on Monday last as Sligo became the eleventh County Council to pass a motion in relation to Bord Bia Chairman Larry Murrin with the local authority to write to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon following a motion put forward by Cllr Michael Clarke.

Prior to the announcement on Monday that Mr Murrin is to step aside from his role chairing Bord Bia meetings while a governance review is held, Mr Murrin had featured heavily in the news in recent weeks, with numerous calls for his resignation from his position within a body responsible for the promotion of Irish food while his own company Dawn Farm Foods is sourcing beef from Brazil.

Addressing the Council Chamber, Cllr Clarke said, “If you set the rules, you must keep the rules and abide by the rules. Farmers have lost confidence in the Chair of Bord Bia."

In his motion Cllr Clarke stated, “Given that the Chair of Bord Bia has lost the confidence of the members of this scheme, as he has brought the organisation into disrepute, with double standards bringing in Brazilian beef to undermine the price paid to Irish farmers for producing the highest standard food in the world, and given that this company is not complying with Bord Bias standards and importing product that is not traceable. This Council stands with rural communities and consumers that deserve healthy food security, this Council calls on the Government to remove the Chair.”

Speaking about the importance of traceability with regard food products, Cllr Clarke remarked, “44m chickens came in from China, it could have been 44m bats for all we know. It is not checked.”

Cllr Clarke continued, “This is a matter of food security,” adding corruption has been exposed with regard food labeling and definition of what is Irish produce.

"The whole combination, everybody has lost confidence in Bord Bia as an organisation. I am a Bord Bia assured farmer. Any time a farmer is tripped up by not ticking a box there is a huge financial penalty. We have no governance in terms of Bord Bia. There is no confidence in the Chairperson, he has to go.”

Referring to the sit-in by five people that has been ongoing inside the lobby area of the Bord Bia Office’s for the past month, Cllr Clarke commented, “Five heroes are standing up for food security.”

Cllr Joe Queenan echoed those sentiments when he called for Mr Murrin to step aside saying, “He has lost the confidence of rural farmers.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh was equally supportive when he remarked, “What is happening is exceptionally damaging. We need to find a solution as soon as possible,” adding, “The double standard aspect is particularly disappointing.”

Cllr Ann Higgins also expressed the view that Mr Murrin’s position is untenable. Using a sporting cliche she said, “The manager has lost the dressing room.”

She also expressed the view that “The Government should listen to farmers. Unless he resigns farmers may pull out of Bord Bia audits.”

Cllr Gino O’Boyle also offered his full support for Cllr Clarke’s motion saying, “Irish famers are held to some of the highest standards in the world. Serious questions must be asked. I find myself agreeing with you on everything Cllr Clarke, which is unfortunate.”

Cllr Declan Bree also offered his support for the motion saying, “The current Chairperson of Bord Bia also serves as the CEO of Dawn Farms, a company that has confirmed the importation of beef from Brazil. While our farmers are buried under a mountain of paperwork and rigorous quality assurance audits, the head of the agency tasked with promoting our produce is sourcing meat from a market with vastly different standards.

“This is not a minor oversight; it is a fundamental betrayal of the Green Ireland brand. How can we ask international markets to pay a premium for the highest quality Irish beef when the Chairman of our marketing board relies on imports from the very competitors we are told to outshine?

“The IFA and thousands of farmers across this country have expressed a total loss of confidence in this leadership. We have seen ongoing protests at the Bord Bia headquarters and outside the Minister’s office because the anger on the ground is real. I believe the IFA is justified in seeking the removal of the current Chairperson of Bord Bia and I fully support the motion before us.”

Cllr Paul Taylor stressed the need for dialogue in order to resolve the current situation saying, “Our beef has always been something that we are very proud of. I think everyone needs to get around the table and put it to bed once and for all.”

Expressing her support for the farming community Cllr Marie Casserly commented, “There are no winners here. The highly respected image that we have is in danger. It should not have got to this stage. We have always supported farmers in this Chamber and will continue to do so.”

Cllr Liam Brennan also offered his backing for the motion saying, “We’re in difficulty once food that is coming in is being relabeled and sold as Irish.”

Cllr Dara Mulvey also voiced his support when he said, “Farmers are the backbone of this country. They provide the food we eat every day of the week. We shouldn’t see food relabeled or country of origin so small its impossible to read. It’s damaging the country.”

The motion was also supported by Cllr Edel McSharry who said, “It has gone on far too long. There should never be double standards, this bigger than one man. This damaging to Bord Bia but ultimately damaging Irish farmers.”

Cllr Barry Gallagher echoed the sentiments of many of his colleagues when he said, “You have our support. The Chair needs to be removed.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy also offered his support when he said, “Everybody is entitled to know what is in their food.”

The debate on the motion was brought to a close with Cllr Michael Clarke expressing gratitude to his fellow Councillors for their support of his motion saying, “I would like to thank y colleagues who have overwhelmingly supported the motion. Every Councillor recognises if you set the rules and don’t keep the rules you must go.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.