A submission for Government is being prepared calling for the amendment of Level 5 restrictions in marts following the cancellation and delay of sales across the country due to an IT glitch with a software provider.

Under current Level 5 restrictions, sales in marts can only take place online, but the viability of this has been called into question following “chaotic” scenes with cattle left unsold and taken home when one of the main software providers, LSL Auctions, experienced technical problems over the weekend.

Yesterday it was chaotic where there were animals standing in marts

The submission is being prepared by Independent TD for Roscommon/Galway Michael Fitzmaurice, along with others and will look for an easing of restrictions in markets given the unique service that they provide to farmers.

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week in Politics Fitzmaurice said the submission would aim to show people who did not understand rural Ireland how marts could operate in a safe way according to the guidelines while allowing physical buyers in the ring.

“Yesterday it was chaotic where there were animals standing in marts when the system had broken down,” Fitzmaurice said. He said he had spoken to exporters and farmers who were distraught by the situation, which he said needed to be reviewed by the Government.

Minister

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said he was liaising with his officials and software providers on the matter and was aware of how important sales were for farmers.

He said that where sales had gone ahead on Saturday 24 October, the price of stock seemed to be holding up well.