Any further relaxation of restrictions at marts across the country will be guided by public health advice, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

He said the Department has worked closely with marts to develop “imaginative solutions” to permit trade to continue on a limited basis, while the wider restrictions are in place.

“Standard operating procedures submitted by marts permit sales to proceed without compromising HSE guidelines.

“Seventy-eight of the 84 licensed marts have been approved to operate in this way. Any further relaxation of restrictions will be guided by public health advice,” he said.

Food supply chains

Recognising the primacy of public health concerns, but also the need to maintain critical food supply chains, Minister Creed told the Dáil on Thursday that he has been working to ensure:

  • That food producers and processors continue to operate effectively, so that farmers and fishers continue to have an outlet for their produce, and consumers continue to have access to safe, high-quality food products.
  • That the Department can provide the critical services, including those upon which those critical supply chains depend.

    • “Against this background, I commend essential workers in the food industry, from farmers and fishermen to those in processing, transport and logistics, to those keeping retail outlets stocked with food throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to thank staff in my Department for keeping services to the industry operational during this challenging period.

    Beef

    For businesses right across the economy, the past few weeks have been extraordinarily difficult, the minister said.

    “Many food businesses have been badly affected by the loss of food service outlets and this is having an impact right throughout the supply chain. We export 90% of what we produce and a significant proportion of these exports are destined for the food service market.

    “This decline in demand is having an impact on commodity prices, in particular on beef. The approach of seasonal production peaks in lamb and dairy against a background of reduced demand is also a concern.

    “My Department is closely monitoring market developments and considering how the impact of any market imbalance might be mitigated.”

    Banking flexibility

    The minister said he has spoken directly with representatives of the three pillar banks, who have committed to showing flexibility and support for agri-food and fisheries clients.

    “Access to liquidity and flexibility and forbearance from the banking system, will be critically important for many food businesses.

    “Many farmers and fishermen are also eligible for supports from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection,” he said.

    EU supports

    Minister Creed said the private storage aid (PSA) announced by the Commission last week was “useful” support, but that he is “continuing to mobilise support for a more comprehensive response at EU level, but this will be difficult”.

    Importance of agri-food

    The pandemic has “highlighted the critical importance of the agri-food sector in Ireland, not only to the economy, but to the social fabric, and to food security in Ireland and across the European Union”, the minister said.

    “The challenges facing us are economy wide, but I can assure the house that the agri-food and fisheries sectors will continue to be at the heart of Government deliberations as this complex situation evolves.”

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