The Dealer was surprised to learn of the appointment of former chief executive of Tesco, Tony Keohane, to the chair of the beef sub-group in Bord Bia.

It will certainly raise eyebrows among farmers, with Keohane having sat as chair of Tesco during the horsemeat saga of 2013. Meanwhile, former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture Tom Moran will lead the dairy sub-group, with food lawyer Raymond O’Rourke leading the Quality Assurance committee. Rhona Holland will take up the role she previously held as chair of the consumer foods sub-group.

Looking down the list of board members, it is clear that Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, who appoints the board, sees the processing and food service sector having much more to contribute to Bord Bia than farmers. Left fighting the fight for farmers and levy payers on the 15-member board are IFA president Eddie Downey and ICMSA president John Comer.

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