You can trust the Bord Bia Quality Mark

The Bord Bia Quality Mark is one of the most important assets Irish farmers have in the marketplace. We recognise and value the commitment of Irish producers in achieving Bord Bia Quality Assurance standards.

  • The Bord Bia Quality Mark applies only to Irish farmed produce.
  • It cannot be used on imported products.
  • Bord Bia operates a robust monitoring programme to oversee the use of the Quality Mark and sanctions are applied where misuse occurs.
  • The Bord Bia Quality Assurance standards you achieve help to secure demand for dairy, beef, pigmeat, poultry, sheepmeat and horticulture. For example, Irish beef is currently sold to over 100 of the EU’s top retail and food service customers who only buy quality assured beef.
  • Audit criteria are designed to meet customer requirements and legal obligations. Bord Bia is not a regulator and does not have policing powers.
  • Standards are developed with input from farmers. Farmer representatives sit on advisory committees that review and approve them.

    • Bord Bia respects farmers

    Farmers are valued stakeholders in Bord Bia’s work and are represented throughout our structures - on our board, sub-boards, advisory committees and producer groups.

    Across the organisation, at every level, there are people from farming backgrounds who care deeply about Irish agriculture.

    For many farmers, their main interaction with Bord Bia is during an audit - we conduct approximately 700 audits per week.

    What is less visible is the work of our 140-plus Dublin-based staff, our 14 overseas offices from Stockholm to Shanghai and our market specialists and sector teams. That work is focused on building demand, securing customers and protecting the value of Irish produce in global markets.

    Our core job is to help ensure there is a strong and sustainable market for what you produce.

    Protest activity and disruption

    Bord Bia has facilitated protest activity outside and inside its place of work since 26 January. While we respect the right to protest, the current situation has caused significant disruption. Five representatives remain inside the building, with a rotating presence outside 24/7. Over 140 Dublin-based colleagues have been unable to access their workplace for more than three weeks. Important commercial visits, customer meetings and major events planned months in advance have been cancelled or postponed.

    The protesters are comfortable and safe. A Bord Bia health and safety officer checks in regularly. Professional, independent security personnel are onsite. Essential deliveries, including food and medicines, continue to be facilitated. Protesters have mattresses, pillows, blankets and access to bathroom facilities with hot and cold water.

    Importantly, they remain on the premises unlawfully. They are free to leave at any time and we encourage them to do so.

    Strengthening how we work

    In light of recent discussions across the sector, Bord Bia will accelerate and strengthen its farmer engagement initiatives.

    This will include:

  • Enhancing the audit experience.
  • Establishing a new farmer forum to support two-way dialogue.
  • Increasing information sharing around Quality Assurance.

    • We will respond fully and constructively to the concerns raised.

    Irish agriculture has always been strongest when we work together. Farmers matter. Facts matter. Dialogue matters. Bord Bia remains committed to all three.