New health and safety restrictions at Tuam Mart will see farmers unable to access the mart lairage.
Tuam is the latest mart to introduce the restrictions and follows on from a number of other marts in the country introducing changes.
A statement from Tuam Mart this week said that from Monday 16 April the mart will be operating new health and safety procedures for all sales at the mart.
“In light of recent issues regarding health and safety and for the safety of our customers and staff members, we are adopting the stance that only mart staff will be allowed into our sales yard.
“We are aware that these changes will inconvenience and cause concern for both buyers and sellers. We urge all sellers to have their stock in on time.
“If you have any problems or issues with these changes, please contact the manager or yard foreman. Customers are advised that stock purchased or unsold must be taken out of their holding pens by mart staff only,” the statement said.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Tuam Mart manager Marian Devane said that in the future people will have to have cattle penned by 10.30am. Buyers can then look at the stock once they are penned.
“I do appreciate that [buyers] have to see the cattle. If this all works out it would be perfect.”
Growing concern
Commenting on the mart changes, East Galway TD Seán Canney said that health and safety issues are a growing concern in all marts.
Seán Canney TD pictured at Tuam Livestock Mart on Monday morning, where changes to mart procedures have been implemented following a health and safety review.
“Changes are being implemented which will restrict access to mart yards. This may be a cause of concern for some farmers, customers, sellers and buyers. The motivation for these restrictions is to ensure safety of the farmers, sellers and buyers.
“I visited some marts in recent days and I have seen the new procedures which are in place. Speaking to farmers at the marts, there is general acceptance that new measures were needed. Where there is a huge flow of cattle in confined spaces, dangers exist.
“It is important that all visitors and customers at the marts co-operate with mart management in implementing these necessary changes,” he said.
Lockdown
Last week, Aurivo Co-op shut down its marts in Mohill, Balla, Ballinrobe and Ballymote pending a safety review after a farmer had to be airlifted to hospital following a bull attack.
Granard Mart in Co Longford, Headford Mart in Co Galway, Roscommon Mart in Co Roscommon, Ennis Mart in Co Clare and New Ross Mart in Co Wexford all also introduced health and safety restrictions at their marts over the last week.