Farmers entered the Bord Bia building on Tuesday under false pretences and then refused to leave, a spokesperson for the State agency told the Irish Farmers Journal on Tuesday evening.
Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) members entered the Bord Bia headquarters on day nine of the association’s protest in Dublin, where they are calling for the removal of the chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin, after his company imported Brazilian beef last year.
“We respect anyone’s right to protest, but it is unacceptable and unprofessional to disrupt the work of Bord Bia staff,” the Bord Bia spokesperson said.
Intimidating
“The situation was very intimidating for colleagues at reception, when a large group of farmers entered the building under false pretences and then refused to leave.
“These actions reflect poorly on the IFA and escalates a matter which can only be resolved through dialogue.
Farmers at the Bord Bia reception on Tuesday. \ Justin Lynch
“Bord Bia has formally asked the protesters to leave the building. They have refused to do so,” the spokesperson added.
They added that An Garda Síochána are on site and are providing support to Bord Bia to help resolve the situation safely and appropriately.
Anger
IFA president Francie Gorman said the move to escalate the protest and to enter the building reflects the “deep frustration and anger over the inaction by Bord Bia” on this matter.
“It’s over two weeks since I first raised this matter and over a week since we began our protest outside the Bord Bia office in Dublin.
“Yet the chair of Bord Bia and the Government have failed to recognise how this issue is undermining farmer confidence in Bord Bia.
"Our position has been quite clear on this: the position of the chair is untenable given that he imports Brazilian beef,” he said.
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IFA enters Bord Bia HQ as protest escalates
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Farmers entered the Bord Bia building on Tuesday under false pretences and then refused to leave, a spokesperson for the State agency told the Irish Farmers Journal on Tuesday evening.
Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) members entered the Bord Bia headquarters on day nine of the association’s protest in Dublin, where they are calling for the removal of the chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin, after his company imported Brazilian beef last year.
“We respect anyone’s right to protest, but it is unacceptable and unprofessional to disrupt the work of Bord Bia staff,” the Bord Bia spokesperson said.
Intimidating
“The situation was very intimidating for colleagues at reception, when a large group of farmers entered the building under false pretences and then refused to leave.
“These actions reflect poorly on the IFA and escalates a matter which can only be resolved through dialogue.
Farmers at the Bord Bia reception on Tuesday. \ Justin Lynch
“Bord Bia has formally asked the protesters to leave the building. They have refused to do so,” the spokesperson added.
They added that An Garda Síochána are on site and are providing support to Bord Bia to help resolve the situation safely and appropriately.
Anger
IFA president Francie Gorman said the move to escalate the protest and to enter the building reflects the “deep frustration and anger over the inaction by Bord Bia” on this matter.
“It’s over two weeks since I first raised this matter and over a week since we began our protest outside the Bord Bia office in Dublin.
“Yet the chair of Bord Bia and the Government have failed to recognise how this issue is undermining farmer confidence in Bord Bia.
"Our position has been quite clear on this: the position of the chair is untenable given that he imports Brazilian beef,” he said.
Read more
IFA enters Bord Bia HQ as protest escalates
Farmers must believe person at top of Bord Bia is committed to the cause – IFA
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