Bord Bia Chair Larry Murrin is to appear before an Oireachtas committee next week to discuss his company Dawn Farms’ use of Brazilian beef in some of its products.
He is due before the Committee on Agriculture and Food on Thursday afternoon.
Mr Murrin’s appearance comes amid growing pressure, from farming groups and politically, for him to step down from his role with Bord Bia.
The Irish Farmers’ Assocation (IFA), Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and Irish Creamery Milk Supplier Association are among the organisations seeking action.
They claim the fact that Dawn Farms has been importing Brazilian beef creates a conflict of interest for Mr Murrin, given Bord Bia’s role in promoting Irish food, and that his position with the semi-State agency is untenable.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture and Government backbench TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere – a member of the Oireachtas committee – also called on Mr Murrin to step aside and asked the committee to request that he appear before it.
Sinn Féin made a similar call for his removal, with the party saying that it would bring a motion before the Dáil next week calling on Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to act.
Since the start of the week, IFA members IFA have been protesting outside the offices of Bord Bia in Dublin against the decision not to remove Mr Murrin from his role.
However, the Government has given its full backing to him and maintains he has done nothing wrong.
Dawn Farms said that Brazilian beef made up less than 1% of its overall supply last year.
