Renewed calls have been made for the removal of the chairperson of Bord Bia amid concerns over the protection of Irish food standards.

Independent Councillor Donal Barry raised the issue at the latest plenary meeting of the local authority, urging action to safeguard the quality and reputation of Irish meat.

The calls follow controversy surrounding the importation of Brazilian produce, with repeated motions seeking the removal of Bord Bia chairperson Larry Murrin, who is also associated with Dawn Farm Foods.

Concerns have intensified after it emerged that Brazilian produce had been imported into ireland.

Councillor Barry said that the calls for removal were because "food quality is not a luxury, it's a matter of standards and protecting the livelihoods of farmers and thousands employed in the industry."

He warned that lowering food standards would damage Ireland’s credibility on the international stage. “If standards are weakened, we weaken everything, from our exports and farms, to our credibility. food quality is not optional. its our competitive edge,” he said, adding that maintaining strict quality controls is essential to preserving the country’s hard-earned reputation for premium agricultural produce.