Marts will have to comply with Government guidelines on social distancing and a maximum 100-person attendance limit if a blanket mart closure is to be avoided.
Following consultation between the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and the Department of Agriculture, ICOS livestock executive Ray Doyle said the measures would be strictly enforced.
Doyle said it was clear the situation would last for many months, and well beyond 29 March: “As this will be the new operating reality for marts, we must strictly enforce methods of operating within the safety parameters laid down by the Government or marts will need to close.
“But, this will be an individual decision for mart boards in the best interests of the country first, shareholders, customers, employees and all extended families involved.”
Safety
Continuing to trade will be a real challenge for marts, Doyle acknowledged, adding that no one wanted the responsibility of creating an environment which could lead to someone being infected.
“Farming families need marts to enable them to earn a living and supply much-needed cash, but not to jeopardise anyone else in the process.
“This will be difficult and will result in significant long-term changes to the way we are conducting our business,” he said.
ANC changes
Spreading out usual spring sales peak would greatly assist in ensuring compliance, Doyle said.
To help alleviate the pressure on marts, ICOS has asked the Department to reduce the stocking density period for ANC payments from seven to five months. This would allow farmers a longer period to purchase animals needed to comply with stocking requirements.
“Basic payment schemes and ANCs will never be more critical for farmers to comply with in order to secure these payments and the Department should prioritise this change immediately as a practical measure for marts and farmers,” Doyle said.
Restrictions
He concluded by re-iterating the new restrictions at marts premises:
Only buyers and sellers of livestock will be permitted to attend the marts and controls are in place regarding numbers attending. Social visitors and particularly children or vulnerable people must stay away from the marts until further notice is given. “Everyone needs to co-operate with any and all instructions given in mart centres as we all need the marts to continue trading during this busy spring period, but in a safe way and one which will not add to the spread of COVID-19.”
Read more
Bulls sell at Limousin premier but coronavirus has impact
GVM marts move to suspend all except calf sales
Marts will have to comply with Government guidelines on social distancing and a maximum 100-person attendance limit if a blanket mart closure is to be avoided.
Following consultation between the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and the Department of Agriculture, ICOS livestock executive Ray Doyle said the measures would be strictly enforced.
Doyle said it was clear the situation would last for many months, and well beyond 29 March: “As this will be the new operating reality for marts, we must strictly enforce methods of operating within the safety parameters laid down by the Government or marts will need to close.
“But, this will be an individual decision for mart boards in the best interests of the country first, shareholders, customers, employees and all extended families involved.”
Safety
Continuing to trade will be a real challenge for marts, Doyle acknowledged, adding that no one wanted the responsibility of creating an environment which could lead to someone being infected.
“Farming families need marts to enable them to earn a living and supply much-needed cash, but not to jeopardise anyone else in the process.
“This will be difficult and will result in significant long-term changes to the way we are conducting our business,” he said.
ANC changes
Spreading out usual spring sales peak would greatly assist in ensuring compliance, Doyle said.
To help alleviate the pressure on marts, ICOS has asked the Department to reduce the stocking density period for ANC payments from seven to five months. This would allow farmers a longer period to purchase animals needed to comply with stocking requirements.
“Basic payment schemes and ANCs will never be more critical for farmers to comply with in order to secure these payments and the Department should prioritise this change immediately as a practical measure for marts and farmers,” Doyle said.
Restrictions
He concluded by re-iterating the new restrictions at marts premises:
Only buyers and sellers of livestock will be permitted to attend the marts and controls are in place regarding numbers attending. Social visitors and particularly children or vulnerable people must stay away from the marts until further notice is given. “Everyone needs to co-operate with any and all instructions given in mart centres as we all need the marts to continue trading during this busy spring period, but in a safe way and one which will not add to the spread of COVID-19.”
Read more
Bulls sell at Limousin premier but coronavirus has impact
GVM marts move to suspend all except calf sales
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: