Calls for Bord Bia chair’s resignation after Brazil beef sourcing confirmation
Sinn Féin has called on Larry Murrin, the chair of Bord Bia, to resign following confirmation that the Irish firm he co-founded, sources some beef from Brazil.
As chair of Bord Bia Murrin promotes Irish food globally but the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny, believes it is "not acceptable" for him to remain in the role.
This, he said, is because Murrin is also CEO of Dawn Farm Foods which has confirmed that it sources some beef from Brazil.
As reported by Agriland last week, members of the Beef Plan Movement noted signage in outlets of the sandwich shop chain Subway - which is supplied with beef by Dawn Farm Foods - that said that Irish Subway outlets were provided with beef sourced from approved plants in both Europe and Brazil.
At the time Subway said in a statement to Agriland that the signage "reflects Dawn Farm Foods’ approved sourcing certification".
Subway also confirmed that it "did not source any beef from Brazil for its Irish restaurants in 2025".
Dawn Farms meanwhile told Agriland that it sources beef "from selected countries to ensure continuation of supply and in some cases to meet specific market requirements".
"In 2025, Irish beef made up the majority of our supply and together with the UK and other EU countries accounted for 99% of our annual supply.
"Brazilian beef accounted for the remaining 1%," Dawn Farms stated.
According to Deputy Kenny Bord Bia "operates a quality assurance scheme for Irish farmers and ensures that our farmers produce food to the highest quality".
"This scheme involves increased paperwork and record keeping for farmers, ensuring that animal movements are between quality assured farms, records of what animals are fed, what vaccines or remedies are given to animals.
“It is not acceptable that the chair of Bord Bia demands these standards and regulations of Irish farmers while at the same time in his own company he sources beef from Brazil where there is little or no animal welfare standards," the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture said.
Today (Tuesday, January 20) he called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon to "remove" Larry Murrin as chair of Bord Bia.
According to Minister Heydon the chair of Bord Bia, has "discharged his duties" in the role satisfactorily since he was appointed.
Bord Bia
Separately the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has today also said that it is "untenable" for Murrin to serve as chair of Bord Bia.
Sean McNamara, ICSA president, said the chair of Bord Bia must stand for Irish farmers and Irish food, "but here we see a serious conflict of interest".
"It is right that meat processors have a seat on Bord Bia, but the chair should never be someone whose own business undercuts the very farmers Bord Bia is meant to support.
“With the Mercosur deal threatening our industry and farmers facing unfair competition, this situation is totally unacceptable. Brazilian beef comes with real food safety concerns, including the unregulated use of veterinary medicines and hormones banned here.
"Irish farmers work hard to produce the highest quality beef and they deserve full backing, not to be undercut by imports linked to the Bord Bia chair’s business," McNamara added.
The ICSA has also called on Minister Heydon "to act quickly to restore trust".
