A message from Bord Bia
Irish farmers and growers work hard to maintain the high standards demanded by consumers and customers in Ireland and our many export markets. In this context, the questions that have arisen in recent weeks about imports, standards, and fairness are completely understandable.
It is important that these issues are discussed with facts, context and respect.
Bord Bia Update on Current Dispute - February 26th
It is with genuine regret that we acknowledge that this issue represents the most significant breakdown in relations with a core stakeholder group in Bord Bia’s 30-year history.
One month on, Bord Bia remains fully and actively engaged in seeking a resolution, while managing the significant operational disruption caused by the dispute. Protest activity both outside and inside Bord Bia’s offices has continued since January 26th.
More than 140 staff have been displaced from their workplace since February 4th (when IFA protestors occupied our reception).
Bord Bia’s Global Hub is not simply a place of work - it is designed as a creative and collaborative space where Irish companies, food buyers and industry partners come together. With workshop and meeting spaces, a library, research facilities, a digital studio, and cookery demonstration area, it exists to support the wider agri-food and farming sector. The loss of access to this space is not just felt by our staff; it is a loss for the sector we serve.
Impact
Multiple meetings with major international customers of Irish food and drink have had to be postponed, relocated or even cancelled, and hundreds of clients and stakeholders have been impacted.
At the same time, and despite these very real challenges, we are continuing to work hard to deliver for our stakeholders.
Important client and trade meetings have continued off-site, and we remain actively engaged with customers around the world. An agri-food Trade Mission to Dubai has been successfully completed, while international food trade shows in Germany, France and China have proceeded as planned. We are also preparing for one of the busiest periods in the year, when St Patrick’s Day activities worldwide help open doors and create vital opportunities for Irish food exporters.
We are grateful for the dedication and cooperation shown by our colleagues, clients, farmers, and customers during this time.
Our priority remains finding a resolution as quickly as possible, while continuing to support our staff and maintaining operations to the highest standard we can under these circumstances.
Update on Protesters
Five IFA protesters continue to illegally occupy the Bord Bia reception area.
Claims that the protestors are “locked into” Bord Bia are incorrect. The five protestors are free to leave the building at any time, and we encourage them to do so.
Notwithstanding the fact that the occupation is illegal, the health, safety and wellbeing of the protestors is being supported through daily checks by a Bord Bia health and safety officer, alongside regular building inspections to ensure the occupied space remains safe.
Food, water, medicines and sanitation facilities continue to be provided and facilitated.
Bord Bia has also appointed independent security to manage the building on a 24/7 basis.
Our approach: open, engaged and focused on dialogue
From the outset, Bord Bia has engaged openly and constructively. We have consistently sought dialogue, and we remain open to meaningful engagement at any time.
We believe strongly that conversation - not conflict - is the only way forward.
Trust in the Bord Bia Quality Mark
Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance programmes are fundamental to farmers’ livelihoods, trusted by consumers, and critical to Ireland’s reputation overseas. Recent concerns around imports have placed a spotlight on Quality Assured produce.
Facts matter:
- The Bord Bia Quality Mark applies only to Irish farmed produce. It cannot be used on imported products.
- Bord Bia has a robust monitoring programme in place to oversee the use of the Quality Mark, and sanctions are applied where misuse occurs.
- These standards protect farmers by securing demand, maintaining customer confidence and supporting better returns. For example, because of these standards, Irish beef has secured access to over 100 of the EU’s top retail and foodservice customers who only buy quality assured beef.
- Audit criteria are set to meet customer needs and legislation. Farmer representatives hold important roles on advisory committees that agree the standards.
- The Board and Chair of Bord Bia do not set Quality Assurance criteria or make decisions on their implementation.
Bord Bia’s remit
Bord Bia works with the full spectrum of the agri-food industry from farmers and growers to small businesses and global exporters.
Our focus is on:
- Supporting farmers through improved incomes
- Securing value for Irish food exporters
- Understanding the customers of Irish food
- Opening and protecting market share
Ireland is an export-led food nation. We export food and drink to over 180 countries around the world. Trade works both ways, and many Irish food and drink companies rely on some imported ingredients. These products are not Bord Bia Quality Assured and do not carry the Bord Bia Quality Mark.
This practice does not replace or undermine quality assured Irish produce. It reflects the reality of trade and how modern, global food systems operate.
Farmers are right to say they are the bedrock of Irish agriculture. Global customers are what allow that production to be turned into income.
Both matter, and both must be respected.
The management of Bord Bia and the role of chair
The Chair is not the “head of Bord Bia”. Bord Bia is led by a CEO and a senior leadership team.
The chair and board members are not involved in day-to-day operations. The Chair is responsible for leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness.
Chairs are appointed for their experience of international markets, governance and the global food industry - experience that supports Bord Bia’s export mission on behalf of farmers and the wider sector.
The Chair of Bord Bia does not receive a salary or pension. While the role allows for fees, the current Chair has always waived them.
Farmer protests and disruption
Bord Bia respects the right to peaceful protest. For almost two weeks, we have facilitated the presence of protestors at our place of work and have engaged consistently in good faith to seek a resolution.
Essential deliveries, including food and medicines, continue to be facilitated. Protestors have the option to leave at any time and have been repeatedly requested to do so.
Moving forward together
We sincerely wish to move past the current impasse, from which no one is benefiting. Bord Bia remains committed to dialogue over division, facts over misinformation and rebuilding trust. We are eager to work together to resolve this issue in the best interests of Irish farmers and the agri-food sector.