Statement from IFA President and Bord Bia Director Francie Gorman

IFA President Francie Gorman said the decision to convene a meeting of the board of directors of Bord Bia for Thursday, as I had sought yesterday morning and again today, is the correct one.

“This is a very concerning issue and the proper place to have a discussion is with the Chairman and the board of directors,” he said.

On Saturday and Sunday of last weekend, I spoke to the Chairman of Bord Bia Larry Murrin and conveyed my grave concerns about the situation that had arisen with his company confirming that it imports Brazilian beef.

Yesterday morning (Mon), the IFA President spoke to the Chief Executive of Bord Bia. At 10.44, he formally wrote to the CEO, copying the Chair and Secretary, asking for an emergency board meeting to be convened. 

The Chair responded with a letter to all board members today, but he did not address the request for a board meeting.

“This afternoon at 15.44, I wrote back to the Chair and all the board members of Bord Bia, insisting that an emergency board meeting be convened.”

“I am conscious that I have responsibilities as a board member and the correct forum to address this issue with the Chair and the other directors is at a board meeting,” he said.

“However, I am also conscious of my responsibilities as an elected representative of farmers who are the bedrock of what Bord Bia does,” he said.

“Farmers participate in the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme and they have to meet exhaustive and stringent requirements. Without farmer confidence, Bord Bia cannot do its job,” he said. 

“I will be conveying my views on what should happen next at the board meeting on Thursday. I won’t be making any further comment until then,” he said.