Irish MEP Barry Cowen has told his fellow MEPs in the European Parliament that a "personalised campaign" has been launched against Bord Bia chairperson Larry Murrin.

The controversy surrounding the Bord Bia chair has been ongoing for several weeks.

Farm organisations, as well as many politicians, have called on Murrin to resign over the fact that his business, Dawn Farm Foods, sources some beef from Brazil.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has been protesting inside and outside Bord Bia's head offices in Dublin over the issue.

Murrin retains the support of the government, although there is a divergence of opinion within government parties over whether Murrin should stay or go.

Fianna Fáil MEP Cowen has now come out to criticise the actions of the IFA and others who oppose Murrin staying on as chair, and to call on all involved to move on from the issue.

Speaking in a full session of the European Parliament, Cowen said: "I have found the events surrounding Bord Bia back home in Ireland deeply regrettable.

"The facts are clear. The chair of Bord Bia has confirmed that less than 1% of the beef sourced by his food company was Brazilian," Cowen said.

"This, he said, was done for contingency supply in global contracts, which is legal, regulated, and standard practice," the MEP added.

Cowen told the European Parliament that there was a "contradiction" in taking issue with sourcing beef from Brazil, while Ireland sources grain from the Mercosur trading bloc in South America (of which Brazil is a member) for animal feed.

"The whole episode also laid bare a contradiction; condemnation of these miniscule imports while relying on Mercosur grain every day for our own livestock, all while losing focus on real issues, like CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] reform, trade volatility and farm incomes," the Midlands North-West MEP said.

"It’s beyond time for all parties to come to the table and resolve this responsibly, including through increased farmer representation on governance boards if necessary, because current divisiveness is helping absolutely nobody whatsoever," Cowen added.

Farmers 'justifiably angry'

However, another Irish MEP has struck a different tone, with Independent Ireland's Ciaran Mullooly telling the parliament: "In Ireland, farmers are occupying the headquarters of Bord Bia, a state food body, supposed to represent Irish production and Irish standards.

"Farmers are justifiably angry at double standards," Mullooly added.

"Consumers need clarity. They should not have to read the small print. If trust is undermined, we will all suffer," the MEP said.