The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has stood down its protest at Bord Bia headquarters, following agreement that there will be a governance review into the matters raised by the association in recent weeks.
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin will remain as chair of the State body while the review takes place, but will not chair the meetings during the review period.
"The board of Bord Bia met today (Monday 2 March) to discuss proposals to resolve the current situation," a spokesperson for Bord Bia said.
"The terms of reference of an independent governance review proposed by the Minister were agreed. This review will be commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is to be completed by 30 April 2026."
During the period of the review, the normal schedule of board meetings will continue.
"In the interests of moving forward, the board and the chair have agreed that these meetings will be facilitated by another current board member.
"On this basis, the protest has been stood down," the spokesperson said.
Protest
The IFA mounted its protest over a month ago at the door of Bord Bia over Murrin's company Dawn Farm Foods importing 1% of its beef supply from Brazil last year.
Five IFA members who have occupied the lobby, a move which the State body said was unlawful, in Bord Bia for the past 28 days have now left the building.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon welcomed the agreement reached at a board meeting.
“I am pleased that my proposal for an independent governance review of the board of Bord Bia has been accepted and that the ongoing protest has been stood down. Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin will remain as chair of Bord Bia but will not chair the meetings during the review period.
"Bord Bia are also progressing a new farmers' forum which will provide an opportunity for renewed engagement between farmers and Bord Bia.
"It is now time to come together to support the essential work of Bord Bia, which delivers important benefits for farmers and the agri-food sector as a whole," he said.
More to follow
Read more
Listen: on the front line with the 'Bord Bia five'
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has stood down its protest at Bord Bia headquarters, following agreement that there will be a governance review into the matters raised by the association in recent weeks.
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin will remain as chair of the State body while the review takes place, but will not chair the meetings during the review period.
"The board of Bord Bia met today (Monday 2 March) to discuss proposals to resolve the current situation," a spokesperson for Bord Bia said.
"The terms of reference of an independent governance review proposed by the Minister were agreed. This review will be commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is to be completed by 30 April 2026."
During the period of the review, the normal schedule of board meetings will continue.
"In the interests of moving forward, the board and the chair have agreed that these meetings will be facilitated by another current board member.
"On this basis, the protest has been stood down," the spokesperson said.
Protest
The IFA mounted its protest over a month ago at the door of Bord Bia over Murrin's company Dawn Farm Foods importing 1% of its beef supply from Brazil last year.
Five IFA members who have occupied the lobby, a move which the State body said was unlawful, in Bord Bia for the past 28 days have now left the building.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon welcomed the agreement reached at a board meeting.
“I am pleased that my proposal for an independent governance review of the board of Bord Bia has been accepted and that the ongoing protest has been stood down. Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin will remain as chair of Bord Bia but will not chair the meetings during the review period.
"Bord Bia are also progressing a new farmers' forum which will provide an opportunity for renewed engagement between farmers and Bord Bia.
"It is now time to come together to support the essential work of Bord Bia, which delivers important benefits for farmers and the agri-food sector as a whole," he said.
More to follow
Read more
Listen: on the front line with the 'Bord Bia five'
SHARING OPTIONS