Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said that the chairperson of the board of Bord Bia, Larry Murrin, has "discharged his duties" in the role satisfactorily since he was appointed.

The minister's comment comes amid criticism from farm organisations over Mullins' roles as chair of Bord Bia - which is tasked with promoting Irish agri-food - and managing director of Dawn Farm Foods, which sources some of its 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.

Francie Gorman, president of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), reacted by saying: "I am very concerned about the statement made by Dawn Farm Foods...about their sourcing of Brazilian beef.

"As a board member, I have raised this through the appropriate channels with Bord Bia. I have stressed the need for an urgent response," Gorman added.

Similar concerns over the issue were raised by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA), which called for a public register to be set up naming companies that buy beef from Brazil and other countries outside the EU (third countries).

In a statement to Agriland, Minister Heydon said Murrin has performed his role as Bord Bia chair in a satisfactory manner.

The minister also said he is aware that Murrin has been in contact with his fellow Bord Bia board members on the issue.

The Minister said: "The selection of Mr. Larry Murrin as chairman of Bord Bia...was made by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine [Charlie McConalogue] following a competitive process managed by the State Boards service of the Public Appointments Service [PAS]. 

"The then minister formally appointed Mr. Murrin to the position of chairman of Bord Bia on April 16, 2024. This was for a period of three years," Minister Heydon noted.

"The operation of the board of Bord Bia is a matter for the board itself. I am however aware that Mr. Murrin has engaged directly with Bord Bia board members on the issues which are being covered in the media," he said.

Bord Bia

In a statement to Agriland, a spokesperson for Bord Bia said: "Many companies within the Irish food industry source some ingredients from outside Ireland as part of operating in a global food system.

"As members of Origin Green, companies are required to set and report against targets relating to raw material sourcing as part of their sustainability plans.

"However, under state aid rules, Bord Bia cannot require companies to source ingredients exclusively from Ireland."