This is the copy of a letter sent by former Galway IFA Chairperson and current Galway Farm Family Affairs Rep, Anne Mitchell, to the Tánaiste, Simon Harris and the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, in the wake of Bord Bia’s actions over the weekend.

Dear Tánaiste and Taoiseach,

First of all I wish to thank you both, on behalf of our Farm Family Committee in IFA, for arranging that food was delivered to our starving, Bord Bia Quality Assured members who were left over 30 hours without food. A barbaric act, which was a breach of our Constitution; by whom was it authorized please?

These six members are still existing in dire conditions. Heat, light and air conditioning was turned off for a period of time on Friday. No bed clothes, one toilet and a small hand basin, cold water only. Every immigrant into this country is treated better than that. Our Constitution says among a lot of other things that: “We rightly hold up the dignity of every human being”.

This was breached on Friday. On your recent visit Tánaiste, to the home farm of Teresa Roche, one of the six members deprived of food for 30 hours, you complimented Teresa and her family for the fine spread of wholesome Irish food, homegrown produce, that we all enjoyed with you that day.

One would have to question what power Bord Bia has over the Government and politicians, when it took that level of intervention to resolve the delivery of food, a basic human right, denied by a company who is treating farmers very poorly at Bord Bia Inspections.

We all know that your Government is hanging on by a shoe string following the Presidential Election: if you continue to support Larry Murrin, that shoestring will be cut hard and fast by the farming community. There are one third of the working population of this country engaged in agriculture and associated agriculture.

“It is the backbone and the heartbeat of Ireland, every euro earned or received by the farmer is ploughed back into this economy. We have strong connections outside Agriculture, we have influence with our friends and relatives, we will use that influence on voting day. The hand that milks the cow and turns the plough feeds the world. Bord Bia has lost all credibility bothamong the farming Community and consumers.

“Mr Murrin’s role is: to promote Irish farm produce on an international stage. He has failed to do so. Where does “Ireland Green” fit into the present situation? The role of Bord Bia, as I understand it, is to promote Irish food, drink & horticulture on the Irish and International market, and to support the Irish Food, Drink & Horticulture industry by providing quality assurance, market services and promoting sustainable practices that are recognised globally. He has made a mockery of this role of responsibility. Mr Murrin would need to familiarise himself with the Bord Bia Act of 1994. Please note the below, exact the extract taken directly from the Act.

“The An Bord Bia Act 1994 does state that it promotes Irish meat. The Act establishes An Bord Bia, which is responsible for certifying Irish food products and promoting the marketing of Irish food and livestock. Its functions include assisting and developing the marketing of Irish meat and livestock, and it has a subsidiary board specifically for meat and livestock”.

“No mention of a contingency plan as spoken about by Mr Murrin at Questions and Answers session last week. IFA contribute over €6.ml annually to Bord Bia; over 42,000 Irish farmers, who produce wholly Irish products, are members of the Bord Bia Assurance Scheme; these farmers are subjected to strenuous and sometimes almost draconian inspections from Bord Bia Staff, yet, Mr. Murrin sees nothing wrong with his contingency plan.

“I am earnestly asking you all to please support us, for the good of Irish consumers, in our campaign to have Mr. Murrin removed from his role as Chair of Bord Bia.

– Anne Mitchell, Farm Family Chairperson Galway IFA.

Pictured: Anne Mitchell.