DEAR EDITOR
As a pig farmer, I have long used social media as a positive and powerful tool for public engagement. Like many farmers, the misinformation I usually encounter involves misunderstandings around farming practices and I am more than willing to engage constructively and explain the facts.
However, over the past fortnight, I have been horrified by the scale and nature of misinformation being propagated by Irish farmers themselves on social media. Claims around Mercosur, Brazilian beef and halal slaughter have been widely shared, often stripped of context and, in some cases, clearly politicised by right-wing groups.
In recent days, with the Bord Bia controversy, this has descended into a failure to understand one of the most basic principles of good governance on a board: that board members act independently and a minority cannot overturn a board decision.
The most outrageous and dangerous example I have seen is how huge numbers of farmers are claiming that the bluetongue outbreak in Wexford was fabricated by the Department of Agriculture to divert attention from Bord Bia.
Farmers sharing such claims need to reflect on the damage being done, not just to public trust, but to the credibility of farmers as a whole. It undermines the great work done by our sector to promote evidence-based, sustainable Irish farming.
How can we as farmers expect to be trusted when so many of us actively spread misinformation? In 2025, we exported €19bn worth of food and drink. We have an international reputation at stake and we cannot jeopardise public confidence.
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