The first meeting of the Bord Bia Farmer Forum took place today (Monday, June 29), the Irish food board has confirmed.

The Farmer Forum was set up in the wake of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) protests earlier in the year relating to Bord Bia chairperson Larry Murrin.

In a statement, the manager of the Bord Bia Farmer Forum, Niamh Bambrick said: "Almost 100 farmers from across the country came together today for the inaugural Bord Bia Farmer Forum, representing a broad mix of enterprises, ages and regions."

Bambrick added: "The agenda was developed in advance by the Farmer Forum Committee, which includes representatives from the farming organisations alongside independent farmer representatives.

She said the discussions today focused on "three key themes", namely Bord Bia’s role; farm assurance schemes; and market promotion and development.

"The group spent almost four hours discussing these topics, with participants sharing a wide range of perspectives and practical suggestions. We appreciate the time and openness of everyone who took part," Bambrick said.

She added: "Bord Bia, in collaboration with the Farmer Forum Committee, will now review the feedback over the coming days and consider how it can help shape future engagement.

"This was our first Bord Bia Farmer Forum, and we believe it was a positive first step in creating an ongoing, constructive dialogue with farmers," Bambrick said.

Farmer Forum 'roadshows'

Last month, Bord Bia said it would expand engagement in its Farmer Forum initiative due to "strong interest".

The state body said the Farmer Forum received a significant number of applications from farmers and growers wishing to participate.

In response to the level of interest, the Irish food board said it was revising its approach to "ensure that all members who applied to participate in the Farmer Forum can do so".

To accommodate all eligible applicants, the state body is set to run a Farmer Forum "regional roadshow" this autumn. These events will take place in addition to Farmer Forum assemblies.

Speaking last month, Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole said: "We appreciate the strong willingness among members to engage with Bord Bia. To allow for constructive discussion and feedback, the number of participants in the first assembly has been capped at 100.

"However, we are eager to accommodate the hundreds of farmers and growers who expressed an interest in being part of the forum," O'Toole added.