Fianna Fáil TDs call for Larry Murrin to step down as chair of Bord Bia

Three Fianna Fáil TDs have called for the removal of Larry Murrin as chair of Bord Bia, despite Taoiseach Micheál Martin's decision to back both the semi-State agency and the chair following its recent controversy.

Pressure on Murrin to step down has been mounting after it was discovered his company Dawn Farm Foods imported Brazilian beef to Ireland.

Fianna Fáil spokesperson for agriculture Peter 'Chap' Cleere and TD Ryan O'Meara have called for Bord Bia to appear before the Oireachtas agriculture committee to discuss the frustrations farmers are feeling.

He described Murrin's position as chair as "untenable".

“I have called for an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas agricultural committee to discuss this issue. This has to happen urgently.

"Farmer confidence in Bord Bia is at an all-time low. I believe the chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin’s position is untenable, that he has lost the trust and confidence of the Irish farming community and, as a result, he must go," Deputy Cleere said.

Lost confidence

Meanwhile, Deputy O'Meara, who represents north Tipperary and northwest Kilkenny, has said that the confidence of Irish farmers has been lost in the chair of Bord Bia.

"I stand with those who understand how our farmers think and feel on this pressing issue. They know where farmer sentiment is at the moment and it will not be restored under the current leadership, in my view.

"The conflict of interest that has arisen in relation to the importation of Brazilian beef has destroyed farmer confidence in the leadership of Bord Bia and that can only be restored by a new chairperson over the board," Deputy O'Meara said.

Suckler farmer and Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has also hit out publicly at Bord Bia.

He argued if the chair of Bord Bia isn’t fully adhering to the mantra of the organisation that he leads - to market and promote Irish agricultural produce - then his position is surely untenable.

"I think that if you're leading out an organisation that promotes Irish beef and the best of quality internationally, I think that it's incompatible that you would at the same time be importing inferior Brazilian beef," he said.