Traffic chaos likely as Laois farm President to lead Newbridge or Nowhere protest

The threat by farmers led by the Laois President of the IFA to bring one of the biggest towns in Kildare to a standstill has not stopped the Minister for Agriculture from renewing his backing for the Chairman of Bord Bia, but the Minister believes there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to the row, which has seen weeks of protest at the food board's HQ in Dublin.

Following angry meetings around the country, the IFA has organised a big protest at Minister Martin Heydon's South Kildare constituency office in Newbridge for Saturday, February 27.

The protest takes place at 2.30 pm as part of a farmer campaign for a new Chair of Bord Bia. The IFA says farmers will assemble at Minister Martin Heydon's office to "drive home the message" that the Chair of Bord Bia has to step down.

There is a likelihood of major traffic disruption in the town that attracts many Laois shoppers as the protest will include tractors and machinery and farmers on foot. Some may also use the M7 to get to the protest.

In a statement issued days before the protest, Minister Heydon said the latest effort to solve the problems which erupted after it emerged that beef from Brazil is being imported by Mr Murrin's Dawn Foods while he is chair of the body tasked with promoting Irish food at home and abroad.

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Mr Heydon said Mr Murrin was selected following a competitive process and appointed in accordance with the required corporate governance procedures for state boards.

“Mr Murrin continues to have my full confidence to serve as Chair of Bord Bia,” said the Minister.

However, he insisted that there has been extensive dialogue to address the issues raised by farmers over Mr Murrin and other matters related to Bord Bia. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

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“As a result of these discussions, several commitments were entered into by Bord Bia and my Department to address the issues raised,” he said.

He said these were: Revisit the focus on farmer experiences with quality assurance audits; establish a farmer forum to improve farmer engagement with Bord Bia; undertake a dedicated information campaign to better explain Origin Green and Quality Assurance Schemes (QAS).

He said he was examining the option to commission an “expert-led” Governance Review.

“I believe an external, independent and expert-led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively,” he said.

Mr Heydon said there has been detailed direct engagement by his Department with the IFA at senior official level to discuss a potential compromise.

“I have spoken to the IFA President in recent days, and I believe there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to this. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector,” he said.

Newbridge or Nowhere was the name farmers gave to their protest. IFA President Francie Gorman said the call for a demonstration t emerged at a meeting in Athy attended by over 800 farmers.

“The overriding view at the meeting was that Minister Heydon is dragging his feet and doesn’t seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community,” he said.

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The Laois man added: “Minister Heydon is hellbent on protecting the Chair of Bord Bia and in the process he is doing huge damage to Bord Bia”.

Laois farmers endorsed the IFA's demand for Mr Murrin to resign at their AGM in early February. Laois County Council has also passed a motion called for him to step down.