Marts have been called on to assist in the matching of suitable cattle buyers and sellers in light of new restrictions that forced all marts to close until at least 19 April.
The next number of weeks will be extremely busy for the trading of livestock, Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack said. He said marts could play a vital role in providing a viable option for farmers, particularly in guaranteeing payment for sellers.
“There are many farmers who need to sell cattle for cashflow, farm management and other reasons and marts can provide an important alternative option to private deals,” McCormack said.
Disappointment
McCormack noted the valuable role marts played during the Foot and Mouth crisis when they were closed for a significant period of time.
“Livestock marts have the contacts, infrastructure and equipment – in terms of weighing scales and payment systems – in place and these should be utilised during the suspension of marts to ensure the safe trading of livestock,” he said.
Payment
IFA president Tim Cullinan proposed a similar idea last night.
He said the IFA were strongly of the view that the livestock mart network could provide the mechanism to facilitate the continuation of trade between farmers, while also adhering to the increased restrictions.
Cullinan advised farmers to be wary about entering into any arrangements where payment may not be secure.
Mart representative groups the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and the Associated Livestock Marts (ALM) have said their members are prepared to facilitate the sale of livestock by matching buyer with sellers. Farmers have been urged to get in touch with their local mart manager.
Read more
Marts to shut under new restrictions
Coronavirus: Taoiseach promises self-employed will be ‘covered’
Blanket closure of marts ‘disappointing’ – ICOS
Marts have been called on to assist in the matching of suitable cattle buyers and sellers in light of new restrictions that forced all marts to close until at least 19 April.
The next number of weeks will be extremely busy for the trading of livestock, Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack said. He said marts could play a vital role in providing a viable option for farmers, particularly in guaranteeing payment for sellers.
“There are many farmers who need to sell cattle for cashflow, farm management and other reasons and marts can provide an important alternative option to private deals,” McCormack said.
Disappointment
McCormack noted the valuable role marts played during the Foot and Mouth crisis when they were closed for a significant period of time.
“Livestock marts have the contacts, infrastructure and equipment – in terms of weighing scales and payment systems – in place and these should be utilised during the suspension of marts to ensure the safe trading of livestock,” he said.
Payment
IFA president Tim Cullinan proposed a similar idea last night.
He said the IFA were strongly of the view that the livestock mart network could provide the mechanism to facilitate the continuation of trade between farmers, while also adhering to the increased restrictions.
Cullinan advised farmers to be wary about entering into any arrangements where payment may not be secure.
Mart representative groups the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and the Associated Livestock Marts (ALM) have said their members are prepared to facilitate the sale of livestock by matching buyer with sellers. Farmers have been urged to get in touch with their local mart manager.
Read more
Marts to shut under new restrictions
Coronavirus: Taoiseach promises self-employed will be ‘covered’
Blanket closure of marts ‘disappointing’ – ICOS
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