May 8th, 2009

ICMSA reject chef's attack on Bord Bia as "inaccurate and unjustified"

The President of ICMSA, Jackie Cahill, has flatly rejected Richard Corrigan assertion that Irish food is something other than the safest and of the highest quality in Europe and described the chef's comments on Bord Bia as both inaccurate and unjustified. Mr Cahill said that over a long period,
Bord Bia has demonstrated a consistent ability to respond professionally and effectively to changing marketing situations and to different crisis. The rapid response of Bord Bia to the recent problem in the pig meat sector was a good example of the adoptability and proactive approach of Bord Bia and it was simply not fair to overlook this performance.

The ICMSA President continued by saying that at a time when there are major problems in the agri-food sector, it is the view of his association that more resources should be made available to Bord Bia to ensure the best possible chance of export-led growth. Institutional changes at this time are neither required or desirable. The promotion of Irish food is a complex and serious business and farmers - the primary producers and first link in the chain - insist that anyone making comments consider the overall image of the sector and refrain from making sweeping statements that can be interpreted as a negative verdict on our food products.

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