Statement from Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re the Chair of Bord Bia

Following a meeting of the Board of Bord Bia this morning, Mr Larry Murrin will continue to serve as Chairman of Bord Bia, and he has my full confidence in doing so.

“It is important to state that I have always backed the farming community, most recently in backing the recent ‘No’ Government vote on the Mercosur trade deal and before that in fighting for and retaining the nitrates derogation. I believe that Bord Bia’s contribution to record year on year increase in the value of Irish Food & Drinks produce must be protected, in the best interests of the farmers who produce that product.

Bord Bia’s role in trade promotion, marketing and business development in recent years have greatly benefited farmers with improved returns, that they deserved for their very high-quality produce.

Backing the work of the Board of Bord Bia and its staff, is in farmers best interests.

I have been informed that the Board had a good and thorough discussion of the issues covered in the media in recent days, and that the majority, while not unanimous, of Board members, was fully supportive of the Chair continuing to serve.

I completely understand the emotion for farmers when it comes to issues associated with the integrated nature of food supply around the globe. Recent debates around the Mercosur trade deal highlight Irish farmers unease for imported product from outside of the EU. We also must recognise that as a food producing island we export 90% of that food and drink product and we depend on that very integrated trade. The work of Bord Bia is critical to that success.

It would therefore be irresponsible to just follow emotion in relation to the media reports this week regarding the chairman of Bord Bia when it is accepted by all that no rules were broken by him or his company. Mr Murrin has built a major Irish food company, with a range of global food brands.

The company is a significant buyer of Irish inputs and has added significant value to the sector as a whole. Mr Murrin has explained that the nature of supply contracts for key customers means that contingencies must be in place to ensure continuity of supply in the unlikely event of supply disruption in Ireland. understand that explanation, and that the supply agreement in question is one which ultimately involves the sale of a very significant amount of Irish produce to an important international customer.

As Chair of the Board of Bord Bia, Mr Murrin’s role is to provide innovative strategic leadership and direction to ensure the continued growth of Ireland’s most important indigenous sector, promoting and marketing Ireland’s global reputation as a leading source of sustainable food, drink and horticulture products. Mr Murrin has ably contributed to those objectives during his tenure as Chair, informed by his years of experience in the food business.

This contribution is evident in the strong work done by Bord Bia and the benefit of Origin Green in the exponential value growth of our exports, as shown in my Department’s 2025 estimated total Irish agri-food exports figure of €21 billion, a record figure, and reflecting the strong continued value growth in exports over the last decade.

As we continue to face challenges in 2026, in particular an uncertain geo-political environment, all stakeholders across the sector must continue to work together in facing and adapting to these challenges as we strive to maintain recent success.

I know that farmers in particular are feeling under pressure from a variety of issues. I want to assure them that my Department and Bord Bia, are doing everything possible to support them. Origin Green and the Quality Assurance system on which it is built, delivers significant benefits for its farmer members, in ensuring that our quality Irish food and drink rightly has a place in the premium market segments in countries around the world.”

ENDS