Several farming groups have gathered outside Leinster House today (Thursday, February 5), protesting over Larry Murrin's position as chair of Bord Bia as Murrin appears before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture inside.

Over 50 protesters are in attendance, with representatives from: the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA); Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA); Irish Natura Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA); Beef Plan Movement; Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA); and the Irish Rural Association.

Larry Murrin who heads up Dawn Farm Foods has confirmed that the business sources some beef from Brazil.

According to Dawn Farm Foods, Brazilian beef accounted for 1% of its beef supply in 2025.

Earlier this week, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) had been protesting outside Bord Bia's HQ in Dublin, and subsequently decided to "escalate" its protest by occupying the reception area of the organisation.

The government and business representatives have consistently backed Murrin in his position, emphasising that he has done nothing wrong and the contracts secured by Dawn Farms have been of great benefit to Irish farming.

However speaking outside Leinster House today, president of the IFA Francie Gorman said: "Our position hasn’t changed. I think he’s done irreparable damage to the reputation of Bord Bia among farmers.

"The resolution to this is we need a new chairman," Gorman added.

Jackie Flannery, spokesperson for Irish Rural Association, said: “Consumers need to see what’s actually happening to the labelling. We need the country of origin, be it EU or non-EU.

"At the moment, there is a lot of labelling that says ‘EU’, we don’t know what country it is from, but particularly non-EU. We need to know where all our product is coming from," she added.

Eamon Corley, chairperson of Beef Plan Movement said: “There’s huge conflict of interest; he has a privileged position, which he’s using to the benefit of his own company.”

Murrin is answering questions on the matter in Oireachtas today and Agriland will bring keep you up to date on all the developments.

More to follow on this story as it develops.

Additional reporting by Stella Meehan