Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny calls for resignation of Bord Bia chairperson

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo/Leitrim TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Martin Kenny has called for Chairperson of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin, to resign saying, “It is simply untenable for him to remain in his position while he is part of a company that is marketing and selling Brazilian beef to Irish and European consumers.”

Deputy Kenny made the call for Mr Murrin's resignation in the wake of revelations that Dawn Farm Foods, which Mr Murrin is the co-founder and Managing Director of, sources Brazilian beef as a raw material for products it supplies.

Deputy Kenny said, “It is very shocking to hear that an Irish food processor is importing Brazilian beef into Ireland, and then to find out that the managing director of that company is also the Chairperson of Bord Bia.

“Bord Bia is responsible for promoting Irish food, drink and horticulture around the world and developing new markets for Irish produce. Bord Bia operates a quality assurance scheme for Irish farmers and ensures that our farmers produce food to the highest quality. This scheme involves increased paperwork and record keeping for farmers, ensuring that animal movements are between quality assured farms, records of what animals are fed, what vaccines or remedies are given to animals.

“It is not acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia demands these standards and regulations of Irish farmers while at the same time in his own company he sources beef from Brazil where there is little or no animal welfare standards.

Reiterating his view that Mr Murrin should resign, Deputy Kenny said if that does not arise he should be relieved of his position with Bord Bia.

“I don’t believe it is acceptable that the Chair of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin can remain in his position, and if he is not prepared to resign then I would call on the Minister for Agriculture to remove him from this position.”

Bord Bia have indicated a board meeting will be held on Thursday, January 22 to discuss the matter.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.