Ms Eileen Bentley:

It would be very disappointing if that were the general reaction of all farmers when they see the quality mark auditors. I would not be aware first-hand of those experiences from a large number of farmers. The auditors are doing a job in terms of protecting what the consumer expects. When the consumer picks up a packet of rashers or beef, they are expecting that the farm and the whole process has been audited to a consistent standard. If they are being heavy-handed, it is because they are doing it in the best interests of the consumer. I will take that back to the quality team in Bord Bia. I am not aware that the penalty for a first offence would be a six-month ban. We are only as strong as our weakest link in terms of the quality mark, so ensuring from the consumer perspective that this mark maintains its position in terms of trust and integrity is the guiding principle for us in Bord Bia.