Buyers of Irish beef outside of Ireland are “having to consider alternative sources of beef”, Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy has said.

She told the Irish Farmers Journal that the current closure of meat factories on the back of protests is of serious concern.

“We are engaging closely on this issue with our Bord Bia colleagues in overseas markets, who in turn are liaising with key customers who account for the majority of Irish beef sales.

“The matter is of serious concern and there is potential for significant business disruption,” McCarthy said.

“Apart from the immediate and direct impact being experienced by both beef producers and processors, in many cases our export customers are now having to consider alternative sources of beef.

“Several of Bord Bia’s promotional activities for Irish beef, including inward customer visits, are also being disrupted,” she said.

“We are communicating closely with our network of valued customers who have been purchasing Irish beef for many years, in order to protect, maintain and further develop these relationships in the future,” she said.

When asked about disruption to beef on supermarket shelves in Ireland, McCarthy said: “There is no significant disruption as retailers and their suppliers have put in place plans to deal with the situation.