Search

07 Feb 2026

Louth TD calls for 'meaningful' dialogue to resolve Bord Bia dispute

Says legitimate questions on the standard of the Brazilian beef imported and impact on Irish family farms remain unanswered

Louth TD calls for 'meaningful' dialogue to resolve Bord Bia dispute

Deputy McGreehan said legitimate questions on the standard of the Brazilian beef imported and impact on Irish family farms remain unanswered

Reporter:

Donard McCabe

06 Feb 2026 10:33 PM

Louth Fianna Fáil TD, Erin McGreehan, has called for meaningful dialogue between all stakeholders following the appearance of the Chair of Bord Bia before the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee.

Deputy McGreehan said she attended the hearing to hear directly from the Chair, following ongoing engagement with farming families in Louth who have been raising concerns.
In comments on Friday, Deputy McGreehan said, “yesterday I attended the Oireachtas Committee hearing on Bord Bia. I felt it was important to be present, to hear directly what was said and to represent the farming families who have been raising their concerns with me.”
Having listened to the discussion in full, Deputy McGreehan said she does not believe the appearance resolved the issues that have emerged. She said the strength of feeling among farmers is both real and deeply personal.
“Over recent weeks I have spoken to many farming families. The level of upset and anger is very real. For people whose livelihoods and futures depend on Ireland’s premium food reputation, this issue cuts deeply.”
Deputy McGreehan said that she accepts there were time constraints but feels that legitimate questions on the standard of the Brazilian beef imported and the impact on Irish family farms remain unanswered.
However, she added, her focus is on engagement. “The only way we get through this is by sitting down together and talking it through.” Deputy McGreehan said unity across the sector is critical at a time of wider pressures.
“We are facing major challenges already, from disease threats such as Bluetongue to hugely important CAP negotiations that will shape farming for years to come. The last thing the sector needs is internal division at a time when unity and focus are essential.”
Reiterating the need for structured dialogue, Deputy McGreehan further added, “Irish farmers are the foundation of our food reputation internationally. Protecting that reputation means rebuilding trust. 
"Now that positions have been set out, all sides must enter into constructive dialogue to restore confidence and find practical solutions.”

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Here
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2026 Iconic Media