Claremorris meeting calls for new Chair and review of Bord Bia
Large attendance from North Galway
THE five farmers who have been occupying the Bord Bia offices since February 3 were given a standing ovation by hundreds of farmers at a meeting in Claremorris organised by the IFA last Thursday.
The meeting in the McWilliam Park Hotel concerned the ongoing impasse over Bord Bia and its Chair Larry Murrin. The IFA have called for Murrin to step aside from his role with Bord Bia after it emerged that the Dawn Farm Foods company, co-founded by Murrin, had been importing beef and chicken from Brazil.
A rolling protest outside Bord Bia’s head offices in Dublin began on January 26. Farmers from different counties are rostered to do stints protesting outside the head offices.
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John and Michael Donellan from Athenry at the IFA Public Meeting to discuss the current Bord Bia Protest at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris. Image: John Corless Photo by Copyright John Corless 087 984 3900Image 2 of 5
Seán and Mary Moran, Kilkerrin, at the IFA Public Meeting. Image: John Corless Photo by Copyright John Corless 087 984 3900Image 3 of 5
Tony Tierney, Foxhall and Padraig Tarmey, Williamstown, at the IFA Public Meeting. Image: John Corless Photo by Copyright John Corless 087 984 3900Image 4 of 5
Clare and JJ Heneghan, Tuam, at the IFA Public Meeting. Image: John Corless Photo by Copyright John Corless 087 984 3900Image 5 of 5
John Curran, Kells Co Meath and Michéal Haverty, Clonbern at the IFA Public Meeting. Image: John Corless Photo by Copyright John Corless 087 984 3900Teresa Roche from Abbey in South Galway has been one of five farmers occupying the Bord Bia offices for the past three weeks. These farmers received their standing ovation as they joined Thursday’s meeting in Claremorris via video link.
“What was clear from the meeting is that as well as a new Chair, a review of Bord Bia will also be needed,” said IFA President Francie Gorman.
“Our roster of farmers from around the country will maintain the protest outside Bord Bia, which is now set out until Monday March 9 and can be rolled over for as long as is needed. 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 (Quality Assurance) scheme.”
The IFA have put forward a proposal to suspend the protest if Murrin steps aside from his post with Bord Bia to allow for a review of the organisation to take place.