Are marts staying open?
Yes. New measures for marts have been agreed between the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Associated Livestock Marts and the Department of Agriculture for the six-week Level 5 period.
Under Level 5, the mart is no longer a public auction but rather an auction by appointment, so all sellers and buyers must book in to attend.
All sellers dropping animals must then immediately leave the mart premises.All potential buyers must contact the mart manager to arrange to view animals in the lairage before the sale. Viewing times will be allotted by the mart manager.After viewing animals, all potential buyers must leave the mart and bid remotely online or by tender. Sales cannot start if buyers are on the premises.Marts that are not online can use a tendering system, as they did in March.All sellers must be available to receive phone calls to accept/decline final bids for their animals.Everyone attending the mart must have their time and mobile number recorded.Face coverings are mandatory and must be worn. Hand washing is essential and sanitising gels must be used.Social distancing of 2m is obligatory at all times and there is to be no waiting or hanging around by customers on the premises.Marts are obliged to submit a new operating procedure to be approved by the Department of Agriculture. Will farm inspections by the Department of Agriculture continue?
Yes – inspections are continuing. A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that any delay to farm inspections could affect scheme payments to farmers. The guidelines for Department staff carrying out inspections have been reviewed and updated to reflect the latest public health advice.
Are herd TB tests going ahead?
The Department of Agriculture will return to the same position which applied in April and May. There will be a 28-day grace period for herd tests if the herdowner wishes to delay their herd test. There will be an exemption for calves aged 42-120 days from herd tests.
Can I get feed and fencing materials?
Yes, most agricultural suppliers are considered essential retail.
The Government’s list of essential retail outlets includes:
Retail sale of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding.Hardware stores, builders’ merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening, farming or agriculture.Fuel stations and heating fuel providers.Retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities (for example, tyre sales and repairs).Can I get the vet out and buy veterinary supplies?
Veterinary supply shops and co-ops are expected to revert to their call and collect or click and collect systems only.
Vets are essential workers so their farm work will continue as needed.
What about machinery repairs and parts?
Machinery dealerships will return to their appointment-only service for essential repairs and parts in which their staff will avoid meeting any farmer directly. Breakdown services will be allowed, but farmers and mechanics are advised not to meet where possible and keep 2m social distancing if they do have to meet.
Will Bord Bia audits go ahead?
Bord Bia has said all farm audits will be conducted remotely while Level 5 restrictions remain in place.
Any on-farm audits currently scheduled are to be rescheduled as remote audits. Bord Bia will contact each affected farmer directly to reschedule.
If any farmer has a query about an upcoming audit or would like guidance on its completion, they can contact the Bord Bia help desk on 01-524 0410, open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.
Can all farm construction work continue?
The Government has said construction work may continue during the Level 5 restrictions. This includes farm construction work.
What about land auctions?
Auctioneers are preparing to hold all land and farm auctions online over coming weeks, although they are waiting for Government confirmation on the matter.
Auctions that had been planned as outdoor, on the property, or in marts or car parks, are being rearranged.
Viewings of properties are also expected to be prohibited under Level 5.
I am a farmer aged over 70, am I supposed to stay at home or cocoon?
The Government advice is that everyone aged over 70 years and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home.
Can I meet my family, neighbours or friends?
You can meet up outdoors with one other household, but away from their home and within the 5km limit. The 2m social distancing rules still apply.
I live alone, am I allowed to have any visitors at all?
The Government has said people who live alone, live alone with children under 18, share parenting or custody, provide care for an adult or have carers coming in can form a support bubble with another household. For example, if you live alone but have regular contact with a family member, neighbour or friend, you could form a support bubble with that household.
You can visit the home of those in your support bubble and they can visit your home. You can also meet outdoors and in places other than home.
That household should not be in a support bubble with anyone else and ideally, but not necessarily, be within 5km of your home.
If you or any member of your support bubble develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must self-isolate immediately and phone a GP for advice.
All other members of the support bubble must restrict their movements immediately and take all GP and HSE advice.
I have cattle on an out-farm 12km away. Can I travel to them?
Farmers and anyone providing essential care to animals are allowed to go beyond the 5km radius, but only for essential tasks. This is the same as the March lockdown.
Are marts staying open?
Yes. New measures for marts have been agreed between the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Associated Livestock Marts and the Department of Agriculture for the six-week Level 5 period.
Under Level 5, the mart is no longer a public auction but rather an auction by appointment, so all sellers and buyers must book in to attend.
All sellers dropping animals must then immediately leave the mart premises.All potential buyers must contact the mart manager to arrange to view animals in the lairage before the sale. Viewing times will be allotted by the mart manager.After viewing animals, all potential buyers must leave the mart and bid remotely online or by tender. Sales cannot start if buyers are on the premises.Marts that are not online can use a tendering system, as they did in March.All sellers must be available to receive phone calls to accept/decline final bids for their animals.Everyone attending the mart must have their time and mobile number recorded.Face coverings are mandatory and must be worn. Hand washing is essential and sanitising gels must be used.Social distancing of 2m is obligatory at all times and there is to be no waiting or hanging around by customers on the premises.Marts are obliged to submit a new operating procedure to be approved by the Department of Agriculture. Will farm inspections by the Department of Agriculture continue?
Yes – inspections are continuing. A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that any delay to farm inspections could affect scheme payments to farmers. The guidelines for Department staff carrying out inspections have been reviewed and updated to reflect the latest public health advice.
Are herd TB tests going ahead?
The Department of Agriculture will return to the same position which applied in April and May. There will be a 28-day grace period for herd tests if the herdowner wishes to delay their herd test. There will be an exemption for calves aged 42-120 days from herd tests.
Can I get feed and fencing materials?
Yes, most agricultural suppliers are considered essential retail.
The Government’s list of essential retail outlets includes:
Retail sale of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding.Hardware stores, builders’ merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening, farming or agriculture.Fuel stations and heating fuel providers.Retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities (for example, tyre sales and repairs).Can I get the vet out and buy veterinary supplies?
Veterinary supply shops and co-ops are expected to revert to their call and collect or click and collect systems only.
Vets are essential workers so their farm work will continue as needed.
What about machinery repairs and parts?
Machinery dealerships will return to their appointment-only service for essential repairs and parts in which their staff will avoid meeting any farmer directly. Breakdown services will be allowed, but farmers and mechanics are advised not to meet where possible and keep 2m social distancing if they do have to meet.
Will Bord Bia audits go ahead?
Bord Bia has said all farm audits will be conducted remotely while Level 5 restrictions remain in place.
Any on-farm audits currently scheduled are to be rescheduled as remote audits. Bord Bia will contact each affected farmer directly to reschedule.
If any farmer has a query about an upcoming audit or would like guidance on its completion, they can contact the Bord Bia help desk on 01-524 0410, open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.
Can all farm construction work continue?
The Government has said construction work may continue during the Level 5 restrictions. This includes farm construction work.
What about land auctions?
Auctioneers are preparing to hold all land and farm auctions online over coming weeks, although they are waiting for Government confirmation on the matter.
Auctions that had been planned as outdoor, on the property, or in marts or car parks, are being rearranged.
Viewings of properties are also expected to be prohibited under Level 5.
I am a farmer aged over 70, am I supposed to stay at home or cocoon?
The Government advice is that everyone aged over 70 years and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home.
Can I meet my family, neighbours or friends?
You can meet up outdoors with one other household, but away from their home and within the 5km limit. The 2m social distancing rules still apply.
I live alone, am I allowed to have any visitors at all?
The Government has said people who live alone, live alone with children under 18, share parenting or custody, provide care for an adult or have carers coming in can form a support bubble with another household. For example, if you live alone but have regular contact with a family member, neighbour or friend, you could form a support bubble with that household.
You can visit the home of those in your support bubble and they can visit your home. You can also meet outdoors and in places other than home.
That household should not be in a support bubble with anyone else and ideally, but not necessarily, be within 5km of your home.
If you or any member of your support bubble develops symptoms of COVID-19 they must self-isolate immediately and phone a GP for advice.
All other members of the support bubble must restrict their movements immediately and take all GP and HSE advice.
I have cattle on an out-farm 12km away. Can I travel to them?
Farmers and anyone providing essential care to animals are allowed to go beyond the 5km radius, but only for essential tasks. This is the same as the March lockdown.
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