Chair, Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the invitation to address you today. I appreciate the opportunity to meet the Committee and welcome this respectful dialogue.
I want to say this clearly at the outset: I have enormous respect for Irish farmers. I am the son of a farmer from County Meath. Farming shaped my values, my work ethic, and my understanding of markets. Today, many part-time farmers work across my business at every level of the organisation, and my company is fundamentally connected to Irish agriculture - economically, socially and personally.
Since this matter was first raised, I have taken it very seriously. I understand the frustration being expressed by farmers, and I fully respect their right to voice concern. However, I do not support the behaviour of IFA members occupying Bord Bia reception in recent days.
It is also important to clarify my role as Chair of Bord Bia. It is a non-executive position. As Chair, I do not manage day-to-day operations, run Quality Assurance programmes, or manage the organisation. That is the role of the CEO and the Executive leadership team. I applied for this role because I bring the perspective of international markets and global customers - experience that matters for an export-led organisation such as Bord Bia.
I co-founded Dawn Farm Foods in 1985 with the Queally family of Waterford. Today, we employ 1,400 people, 700 of whom are based at our Headquarters in Naas, Co. Kildare. We are the largest cooked meat ingredients company in Europe, with manufacturing operations in Ireland, the UK and Germany, supplying customers in 55 countries worldwide. Since 2020 alone, our economic impact in Ireland is in excess of €1 billion and the majority of that represents Irish raw materials, wages and services.
It’s important to clarify that Dawn Farms does not kill cattle or produce beef. In fact, we are a major customer of Irish beef producers. We specialise in customised cooked meat products for our clients. Think pizza, sandwiches (on the go), ready meals, recipe dishes, and think every major restaurant chain on the high street in more than 55 countries. I can guarantee everyone on this committee who has enjoyed any of the above, you have almost certainly consumed products supplied by Dawn Farms in Naas at some point in time.
I have stated publicly that over 80% of our business is conducted with just 12 global customers, relationships that span more than 30 years. The bedrock of these commercial relationships is commercial confidentiality.
I acknowledge that Ireland's beef production is 700% self-sufficient, with over 90% exported, but this matter is not about self-sufficiency. I would like to clarify for everyone what is meant by Security of Supply and the role of being a partner within the supply chain to a major international customer.
Dawn Farms serves as the preferred supplier of cooked meat ingredients for many major international food brands.
This arrangement has presented an excellent opportunity for Ireland for more than three decades, enabling large quantities of Irish beef and other Irish food products to reach overseas markets.
However, as part of our agreement, many of our customers require the following:
In the event of a food crisis, disease outbreak, or supply disruption anywhere in Europe, Dawn Farms must be agile and able to activate a supply of beef or any other raw material from different sources. And that activation must be proven and real and practiced. This also includes dual manufacturing capability.
The reason is straightforward - a global food business whose products are consumed by 40-50 million consumers per week in the markets we serve, must always ensure continuous food supply to our customers, no matter the circumstance.
This business model brings substantial, long-term value to Ireland. Farmers benefit from stable demand and favourable prices, while the customer’s supply chain is derisked and consequently, the value of Irish exports is increased.
Transparent labelling
As has been well reported, Dawn Farms imported less than 1% of its beef from Brazil in 2025 to meet a requirement of contingency planning. Sourcing a small quantity outside Ireland does not diminish our commitment to Irish beef or farmers. It is for us a necessity that underpins our business.
Our labelling has always been transparent. The origins of this story trace back to a photograph shared on social media showing a clearly labelled supply chain. This has since been described as a “revelation”, when in fact it reflects long-standing and transparent practice by Dawn Farms and the customer concerned.
In 2025, Ireland exported approximately €19 billion of food and drink to 180 markets. Almost 50% of those exports depend on imported ingredients. This reflects the practical reality of our export-led food and drink sector in today’s global marketplace.
Misperception of a conflict of interest
It is very important for all of us to remember the genesis of this issue.
The IFA alleged that I was fundamentally conflicted in undertaking my duties as Chair of Bord Bia because the Company of which I am CEO, Dawn Farms, sourced beef from Brazil to meet our contingency planning and supply chain commitments to customers.
The charge is that it is incompatible for me to be Chair of Bord Bia while being involved with Dawn Farms.
To be clear, I have never been conflicted in undertaking my role as Chair of Bord Bia which is to lead the Board and ensure its effectiveness.
I have spent my entire working life advocating on behalf of Irish food, drink, and agriculture in global markets in the best interests of Ireland. I have spent every week, since assuming the Chair of Bord Bia doing likewise. That will not change.
Quality Assurance
Finally, I want to address Quality Assurance. Bord Bia operates voluntary Quality Assurance schemes that benefit farmers and underpins Ireland’s reputation. It is completely incorrect to suggest that Dawn Farms promotes products containing non-Irish beef under the Bord Bia Quality Mark. Those claims are false and have caused damage.
Importance of dialogue
On Thursday, January 22nd, a Bord Bia Board meeting was held, and all perspectives were heard. A majority of the Board supported me to remain as Chair, and this was subsequently affirmed by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. That support was not unanimous, and I acknowledge that both the IFA and the ICMSA did not agree.
From the outset, I have sought dialogue and engagement, and that remains my position. At the Board meeting, I offered to meet with the IFA National Council and alternative pathways were proposed. These were rejected in favour of a single demanded outcome.
This has the potential to be deeply damaging to our industry, and risks creating the impression that Irish farmers and exporters are not open for business.
I believe respectful dialogue is the only way forward. This should not be about winners or losers. I remain fully committed to acting in the long-term interests of Irish farmers, Bord Bia, and the Irish agri-food sector as a whole.
Thank you.