Bord Bia has said that the its ongoing stand-off with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is the most significant breakdown in relations with a core stakeholder group in the State body’s 30-year history.
Commenting one month into the IFA’s rolling protest at its headquarters in Dublin, the food body said it remains fully and actively engaged in seeking a resolution, while managing the significant operational disruption caused by the dispute.
“Protest activity both outside and inside Bord Bia’s offices has continued since 26 January.
“More than 140 staff have been displaced from their workplace since 4 February (when IFA protesters occupied our reception),” a spokesperson for Bord Bia said.
Bord Bia’s global hub is not simply a place of work - it is designed as a creative and collaborative space where Irish companies, food buyers and industry partners come together, they added.
“With workshop and meeting spaces, a library, research facilities, a digital studio and cookery demonstration area, it exists to support the wider agri-food and farming sector. The loss of access to this space is not just felt by our staff, it is a loss for the sector we serve.”
Stakeholder impact
The food board has said that multiple meetings with major international customers of Irish food and drink have had to be postponed, relocated or even cancelled and hundreds of clients and stakeholders have been affected.
“At the same time - and despite these very real challenges - we are continuing to work hard to deliver for our stakeholders.
“Important client and trade meetings have continued off-site and we remain actively engaged with customers around the world. An agri-food trade mission to Dubai has been successfully completed, while international food trade shows in Germany, France and China have proceeded as planned.
Larry Murrin, the chair of Bord Bia. \ Claire Nash
“We are also preparing for one of the busiest periods in the year, when St Patrick’s Day activities worldwide help open doors and create vital opportunities for Irish food exporters. We are grateful for the dedication and co-operation shown by our colleagues, clients, farmers and customers during this time,” the spokesperson said.
Bord Bia’s priority remains finding a resolution as quickly as possible, while continuing to support its staff and maintaining operations to the highest standard it can under these circumstances, they added.
Illegal occupation
Five IFA protesters continue to illegally occupy the Bord Bia reception area, the spokesperson continued.
“Claims that the protesters are 'locked into' Bord Bia are incorrect. The five protesters are free to leave the building at any time and we encourage them to do so.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the occupation is illegal, the health, safety and wellbeing of the protesters is being supported through daily checks by a Bord Bia health and safety officer, alongside regular building inspections to ensure the occupied space remains safe.
The IFA's Tom Byrne is one of the five protesters that remain inside Bord Bia. \ Claire Nash
“Food, water, medicines and sanitation facilities continue to be provided and facilitated. Bord Bia has also appointed independent security to manage the building on a 24/7 basis.”
IFA
Bord Bia’s statement on the matter comes following three public meetings hosted by the IFA over the last week which have attracted hundreds of farmers.
The IFA intends to escalate its campaign this weekend, with the farm body to protest in Newbridge on Saturday.
Newbridge is where Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon’s constituency office is located, with IFA president Francie Gorman claiming that the Minister “is dragging his feet and doesn’t seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community”.
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin continues to have the backing of the Minister and the Government. His company, Dawn Farm Foods, imported 1% of its beef supply from Brazil in 2025. This was for contingency and security of supply, the company said.
Read more
IFA president 'concerned for the future of Bord Bia if this isn’t resolved'
IFA to protest at Minister's office in Newbridge on Saturday
Bord Bia has said that the its ongoing stand-off with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is the most significant breakdown in relations with a core stakeholder group in the State body’s 30-year history.
Commenting one month into the IFA’s rolling protest at its headquarters in Dublin, the food body said it remains fully and actively engaged in seeking a resolution, while managing the significant operational disruption caused by the dispute.
“Protest activity both outside and inside Bord Bia’s offices has continued since 26 January.
“More than 140 staff have been displaced from their workplace since 4 February (when IFA protesters occupied our reception),” a spokesperson for Bord Bia said.
Bord Bia’s global hub is not simply a place of work - it is designed as a creative and collaborative space where Irish companies, food buyers and industry partners come together, they added.
“With workshop and meeting spaces, a library, research facilities, a digital studio and cookery demonstration area, it exists to support the wider agri-food and farming sector. The loss of access to this space is not just felt by our staff, it is a loss for the sector we serve.”
Stakeholder impact
The food board has said that multiple meetings with major international customers of Irish food and drink have had to be postponed, relocated or even cancelled and hundreds of clients and stakeholders have been affected.
“At the same time - and despite these very real challenges - we are continuing to work hard to deliver for our stakeholders.
“Important client and trade meetings have continued off-site and we remain actively engaged with customers around the world. An agri-food trade mission to Dubai has been successfully completed, while international food trade shows in Germany, France and China have proceeded as planned.
Larry Murrin, the chair of Bord Bia. \ Claire Nash
“We are also preparing for one of the busiest periods in the year, when St Patrick’s Day activities worldwide help open doors and create vital opportunities for Irish food exporters. We are grateful for the dedication and co-operation shown by our colleagues, clients, farmers and customers during this time,” the spokesperson said.
Bord Bia’s priority remains finding a resolution as quickly as possible, while continuing to support its staff and maintaining operations to the highest standard it can under these circumstances, they added.
Illegal occupation
Five IFA protesters continue to illegally occupy the Bord Bia reception area, the spokesperson continued.
“Claims that the protesters are 'locked into' Bord Bia are incorrect. The five protesters are free to leave the building at any time and we encourage them to do so.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the occupation is illegal, the health, safety and wellbeing of the protesters is being supported through daily checks by a Bord Bia health and safety officer, alongside regular building inspections to ensure the occupied space remains safe.
The IFA's Tom Byrne is one of the five protesters that remain inside Bord Bia. \ Claire Nash
“Food, water, medicines and sanitation facilities continue to be provided and facilitated. Bord Bia has also appointed independent security to manage the building on a 24/7 basis.”
IFA
Bord Bia’s statement on the matter comes following three public meetings hosted by the IFA over the last week which have attracted hundreds of farmers.
The IFA intends to escalate its campaign this weekend, with the farm body to protest in Newbridge on Saturday.
Newbridge is where Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon’s constituency office is located, with IFA president Francie Gorman claiming that the Minister “is dragging his feet and doesn’t seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community”.
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin continues to have the backing of the Minister and the Government. His company, Dawn Farm Foods, imported 1% of its beef supply from Brazil in 2025. This was for contingency and security of supply, the company said.
Read more
IFA president 'concerned for the future of Bord Bia if this isn’t resolved'
IFA to protest at Minister's office in Newbridge on Saturday
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