Revealed: how marts can operate after Level 5 lockdown is lifted

Farmers could be back around the ring at mart sales if they can keep a 2m social distance after 1 December if the country moves back to a Level 4 lockdown, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.

Level 5 lockdown is due end at midnight on Tuesday 1 December, with a new level likely to be imposed from 2 December.

The conditions likely to apply under Level 4 in marts are that buyers can enter the sales ring subject to a minimum social distance of 2m, otherwise the same conditions from Level 5 apply, the Department of Agriculture has said in a letter to mart managers.

Under Level 3, it is likely that buyers can view stock in pens without prior appointment with the mart and subject to a minimum social distance of 2m, otherwise the Level 4 conditions apply.

If the country moves to Level 2, a minimum social distance of 1m can be applied at marts. This is subject to buyers spending a maximum of 90 minutes in the mart, consistent with the rules in restaurants under Level 2.

Subject to review

The Department has said that these trading scenarios are subject to review and may change based on public health advice and COVID-19 data.

Mart managers are being asked to consider how they will adapt to Level 4, 3 or 2. The Department is reminding mart managers that standard operating procedures (SOPs) on how each mart will operate at each level will continue to be required for sign-off by the Department.

Revised SOPs should be sent to the regional veterinary office for approval prior to any change in practices.

The Department of Agriculture has written to mart managers around the country, acknowledging that “the closure of public access to sales rings under Level 5 has been a huge challenge for marts”.

Between Thursday 22 October and Saturday 7 November, in the region of 95,000 cattle and 56,000 sheep have been sold through the marts, according to the Department.

Grant aid for marts

ICOS livestock and environmental services executive Ray Doyle told the Irish Farmers Journal that it is thankful to the Department for the clarity around mart operations after Level 5 is lifted.

“We need a speedy resumption to farmers being back around mart rings. Marts have really stepped up to the COVID-19 restrictions to facilitate farmers being able to trade,” he said, adding that there has been considerable capital investment made at marts to upgrade systems for online selling and to comply with restrictions.

“We have asked the Department for grant aid to recognise the significant financial investment marts have made,” he said.

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