Hundreds of farmers have called for Bord Bia inspections and audits for quality assurance and other schemes to be abandoned until the controversy over the chair of Bord Bia has been resolved.

Around 600 farmers, supporters and politicians attended a meeting at the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, Co. Mayo last night organised by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

They wanted to discuss the position of Larry Murrin as chair of the board of Bord Bia, given his company's procurement of Brazilian beef to fulfil contracts when necessary.

The IFA and other farm organisations have argued that Murrin's position is "untenable" as a result, but so far the majority of Bord Bia and the government have supported Murrin, who has also appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee to answer questions.

Last night, farmers from across the Connacht region and further afield, along with local councillors and TDs from parties such as Sinn Féin, Aontú and Independent Ireland, said the fight will go on.

One farmer from the audience said that the double standards cannot be tolerated and that "Larry Murrin must go".

Many farmers expressed frustration and upset at the hurdles they have to clear in order to participate in Bord Bia schemes and the apparent lack of stringent standards for farmers in Brazil.

Some farmers in the audience called for Bord Bia inspections and audits to be abandoned completely.

The meeting was also joined remotely by the five IFA members who are occupying the Bord Bia headquarters in Dublin.

Though they looked tired, their spirit was enthusiastic and they said they were bowled over by the support from the farming membership and others.

They were also adamant that they would not be moving until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

Political pressure

It was not just Larry Murrin who was targeted with the wrath of the farming community last night.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has now come into the firing line.

Farmers have moved beyond wanting just Larry Murrin to resign and instead many farmers from the audience called for Minister Heydon to also step down from his role for "turning his back on farmers".

Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice gave a rousing speech to the audience, where he said: "This isn't just about one farmer; this is about every farmer in Ireland.

"I see everyone in opposition is basically working together [in the Oireachtas]. That's fairly unusual in there. We will liaise with the IFA on it.

"All I'll say to ye, go with them [IFA], stand with them, let farmers stand together," he added.

Galway County IFA chair Micheál Haverty said: "It's awful heartening to see the crowd that turned out tonight, but it's more disheartening I suppose that some of our politicians and the government in particular, haven't had our backs.

"We were told at the pre-election manifesto that they had our backs; well it's about time now that they togged out, man up and show us that they have, because if [you] don't, then we'll return the favour when the time comes."