The IFA has described the sourcing of chicken for the Defence Forces from a non- Bord Bia Assured processor outside the State as 'a national disgrace'.
Poultry farmers protested this morning outside the office of Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea on Infirmary Road in Dublin.
IFA Deputy President Derek Deane said the supplier for the €350,000 contract apparently does not contribute anything to the Irish economy.
What is even more concerning, he said, is that the business is not accredited under the Government's own Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme and, as it is involved in secondary processing only, 'the company could be sourcing chickens from anywhere'.
Mr Deane said the Minister for Defence must take immediate action to redress this situation within his Department as it is a major body blow to the 2,500 people employed in the poultry sector.
The IFA said the Minister should be acutely aware of the impact on poultry farmers in his own county of Limerick who have lost their livelihoods with the closure of Kantoher and Castlemahon Poultry Products in the last number of years.
These factories closed down because of the devastating effects that imported chicken meat has had on the whole Irish poultry sector over the last five years, he said.
IFA Poultry Chairman Ned Morrissey said this recent decision not to support indigenous Irish business shows that the Government and its officials are 'out of touch' with the difficulties of the poultry sector.
A spokesperson for the Department of Defence has confirmed that the Minister O'Dea will meet with the IFA next week to discuss its concerns.
