The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 18 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2026 to 30 Apr, 2026

Specific Details Bord Bia Protest

Intended results To highlight that Bord Bia is responsible for the Quality Assurance standards on Irish farms. It is Bord Bia which inspect farms to ensure these standards. Farmers are constantly told that the customers want high standards. Yet now farmers find out that the Chair of Bord Bia's company Dawn Farm Foods is using Brazilian beef apparently at the behest of these same customers. That IFA along with other farm organisations were scheduled to be in discussions with Bord Bia about Quality Assurance standards on farms. As farmer representatives, IFA cannot expect farmers to engage in meetings on standards while the Chair uses Brazilian beef. To appeal to both the Minister for Agriculture and the Chair of Bord Bia to realise that prolonging this issue is not in anybody's interest and to put forward a proposal that the Chair should stand down, in the interests of Bord Bia and in the interests of Irish farming. The Minister must see the damage it is doing. To highlight how Ireland has built up a reputation for top quality food on the back of the QA scheme and Origin Green. This requires the participation and confidence of farmers. This is vital if we are to continue to be successful on the global stage. To meet with local representatives and request their support for the removal of the Chair of Bord Bia. To question if the Chair of Bord Bia imports Brazilian Chicken for his company Dawn Farm Foods. That IFA will remain resolute in their protest outside Bord Bia which will continue until the Chair resigns or is removed.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Paul O'Brien IFA Regional Chair, Patrick McCormick IFA National Treasurer, Conor O'Leary IFA Munster Regional Chair, Maurice Brady IFA Ulster/North Leinster Chair, Brenda Golden IFA Connacht Regional Chair, John Murphy IFA Environment Chair, Jason O'Leary IFA Potato Chair, Adrian Gallagher IFA Sheep Chair, David Hall IFA Animal Health Chair, John Curran IFA Rural Development Chair, John O'Hanlon IFA Regional Executive

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (6-10)

Email (21-30)

Informal communication (21-30)

Social Media (2-5)

Meeting (21-30)

Phone call (31-50)

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Aisling Dempsey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Dillon Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Carol Nolan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cathal Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Catherine Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Christopher O'Sullivan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Conor Sheehan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)

David Maxwell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Declan Kelly Councillor (Galway County Council)

Declan Meehan Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Eugene Cassidy Councillor (Meath County Council)

Francis Deane Councillor (Meath County Council)

Gareth Scahill Senator (Seanad)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Justice)

Hildegarde Naughton Minister (Department of Education)

James Browne Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor Minister of State (Department of Health)

Jim O'Toole Chief Executive Officer (Bord Bia)

Joe Flaherty Senator (Seanad)

Joe Fox Councillor (Meath County Council)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kiera Keogh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Health)

Larry Murrin Chairperson (Bord Bia)

Louis O'Hara TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Maria McCormack Senator (Seanad)

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Gallagher Councillor (Meath County Council)

Michael McBride Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Micheál Carrigy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Natasha Newsome Drennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Nessa Cosgrove Senator (Seanad)

Niall Blaney Senator (Seanad)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Niamh Smyth Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Oliver Walsh Councillor (Wexford County Council)

Pádraig O'Sullivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paraic Brady Senator (Seanad)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Pauric Clerkin Councillor (Monaghan County Council)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Burke Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Peter Roche TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pip Breen Councillor (Wexford County Council)

Richard O'Donoghue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard Truell Councillor (Monaghan County Council)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Ryan O'Meara TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sarah O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)

Seamus Coyle Councillor (Monaghan County Council)

Seán Fleming TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Gilliland Councillor (Monaghan County Council)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)

Sinead McPhillips Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Tony McCormack TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

William Aird TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie O'Dea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Winston J. Bennett Councillor (Cavan County Council)