Bord Bia encourages five protestors to leave building
Bord Bia said the ongoing farmer protest at its Dublin headquarters "represents the most significant breakdown in relations with a core stakeholder group" in the State agency's 30-year history.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) began a rolling farmer protest at the Pembroke Road offices on January 26.
The IFA has said its action will continue until Larry Murrin resigns or is removed as chair of Bord Bia.
Five farmers also remain inside the building for over three weeks now.
Farm organisations and some politicians have called on Larry Murrin to resign as Bord Bia chair following confirmation that his business, Dawn Farm Foods, sourced 1% of its beef from Brazil in 2025.
Murrin has stated he has "never been conflicted" in undertaking his role at Bord Bia, "which is to lead the board and ensure its effectiveness".
The government, including Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, has also given its support to Larry Murrin to remain in his position.
Bord Bia
In a statement issued this morning (Thursday, February 26), Bord Bia acknowledged that "this issue represents the most significant breakdown in relations with a core stakeholder group".
"One month on, Bord Bia remains fully and actively engaged in seeking a resolution, while managing the significant operational disruption caused by the dispute," the agency said.
Bord Bia said that over 140 of its staff have been "displaced from their workplace since February 4" when IFA protestors occupied its reception.
"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.
"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," the statement said.
Meetings
Bord Bia said that "multiple meetings" with major international customers of Irish food and drink have been "postponed, relocated or even cancelled".
The agency added that "hundreds of clients and stakeholders have been impacted".
"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," the statement noted.
Bord Bia said an agri-food trade mission to Dubai had recently taken place, along with a presence at international food trade shows in Germany, France and China.
The agency said it is preparing for St Patrick’s Day activities worldwide which it said "help open doors and create vital opportunities for Irish food exporters".
"We are grateful for the dedication and cooperation shown by our colleagues, clients, farmers, and customers during this time.
"Our priority remains finding a resolution as quickly as possible, while continuing to support our staff and maintaining operations to the highest standard we can under these circumstances," it added.
Protest
Bord Bia said that five IFA protesters "continue to illegally occupy" the reception area of its Dublin office.
"Claims that the protestors are 'locked into' Bord Bia are incorrect.
"The five protestors 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 protestors 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.
"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," the statement said.
