The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and Associated Livestock Marts (ALM) have requested that farmers attending marts wear face coverings where possible.
The move comes after the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions in the midlands, which the mart representatives believe shows the continuing potential for infection to take place in communal settings like marts.
The recommended coverings include disposable or cloth masks which thoroughly cover the mouth and nose, or a plastic see-through face visor, in line with public health guidelines.
While the wearing of face coverings in marts is not mandatory, and predominantly marts involve outdoor areas, ICOS and ALM feel it is wise to encourage all patrons to wear coverings when around the auction ring and in mart offices.
In a joint statement, Ray Doyle of ICOS and Eric Driver of ALM said: “Face coverings help prevent people who don’t know they have the virus from spreading it to others.
“We must all do whatever we can to minimise the spread of COVID-19, so we’re asking people to stay safe, protect each other and mask up in the marts.”
‘Everyone wants to see trade continue’
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart, Co Tipperary
“We are strongly encouraging farmers to wear masks in our mart and there has been no disagreement from farmers. The majority of people brought a mask with them and those who didn’t were provided with one.
“We sent out a text to remind everyone to wear a mask and I’d say 95% of farmers agree with this new measure. Only farmers that are interested in doing business show up to the mart these days while observers use the online bidding service.
“People are becoming careful since the three counties were restricted. Farmers are nervous of the virus but they are more fearful of another lockdown being put in place. Everyone wants to see trade continue and will take the necessary precautions to avoid an outbreak.”
Ann Harkin, Raphoe Livestock Mart, Donegal
“We kept the two metre rule in our mart, I think it’s actually quite dangerous to have farmers any closer. People were delighted we kept the measures in place, it makes everyone feel safe.
“At our latest sheep sale, over 50% of the farmers brought a mask with them of their own accord. From now on all farmers will need to wear a face covering while in the mart as an extra precaution.
“We have done all we can to make sure the mart is as safe as possible and it’s now up to the farmers to play their part. We won’t relax any of our measures while the virus is still alive. This is the responsible way to go and only a very small minority has been negative.”
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart, Co Clare
“We are advising farmers to wear a mask but it is optional. The main thing is people remember to keep their social distance and take the right precautions when around others.
“Between 50% and 60% of farmers are wearing masks and we would heavily encourage that they be worn in confined areas such as around the ring.
“People were beginning to become a little lax but since the three counties were restricted everyone is much more cautious again.”
Seán Leahy, Fermoy Mart, Co Cork
“We are lucky here in Fermoy in that our cattle ring is big and there is loads of room for sellers. We kept our distancing at two metres and have over 50 buyers at our sales.
“We will be now recommending that farmers wear a mask in the mart but it won’t be mandatory. At the minute roughly one in four farmers are wearing a mask but we hope with some encouragement from our staff many more will join in.
“Mask wearing is just going to be a part of the new normal and it’s something we all have to get used to.”
David Quinn, Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow
“We will be enforcing a mart policy that all farmers and staff are to wear masks while indoors. We are going to allow for a one week adjusting period in case farmers haven’t heard about the new rule but from there on it will be strictly enforced.
“Our staff will lead by example with masks on and we are hoping this will encourage farmers to follow suit. There won’t be a requirement to wear a mask while outside at the open pens but anywhere indoors and around the ring the masks must be worn.
“Given that shops and many other public venues require a mask I think it is appropriate that marts also enforce this.
“We are taking these measures to try and stay ahead of the virus and we are hoping the uptake will grow. Once a couple of people start wearing them everyone will soon join in.”
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The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and Associated Livestock Marts (ALM) have requested that farmers attending marts wear face coverings where possible.
The move comes after the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions in the midlands, which the mart representatives believe shows the continuing potential for infection to take place in communal settings like marts.
The recommended coverings include disposable or cloth masks which thoroughly cover the mouth and nose, or a plastic see-through face visor, in line with public health guidelines.
While the wearing of face coverings in marts is not mandatory, and predominantly marts involve outdoor areas, ICOS and ALM feel it is wise to encourage all patrons to wear coverings when around the auction ring and in mart offices.
In a joint statement, Ray Doyle of ICOS and Eric Driver of ALM said: “Face coverings help prevent people who don’t know they have the virus from spreading it to others.
“We must all do whatever we can to minimise the spread of COVID-19, so we’re asking people to stay safe, protect each other and mask up in the marts.”
‘Everyone wants to see trade continue’
Michael Harty, Roscrea Mart, Co Tipperary
“We are strongly encouraging farmers to wear masks in our mart and there has been no disagreement from farmers. The majority of people brought a mask with them and those who didn’t were provided with one.
“We sent out a text to remind everyone to wear a mask and I’d say 95% of farmers agree with this new measure. Only farmers that are interested in doing business show up to the mart these days while observers use the online bidding service.
“People are becoming careful since the three counties were restricted. Farmers are nervous of the virus but they are more fearful of another lockdown being put in place. Everyone wants to see trade continue and will take the necessary precautions to avoid an outbreak.”
Ann Harkin, Raphoe Livestock Mart, Donegal
“We kept the two metre rule in our mart, I think it’s actually quite dangerous to have farmers any closer. People were delighted we kept the measures in place, it makes everyone feel safe.
“At our latest sheep sale, over 50% of the farmers brought a mask with them of their own accord. From now on all farmers will need to wear a face covering while in the mart as an extra precaution.
“We have done all we can to make sure the mart is as safe as possible and it’s now up to the farmers to play their part. We won’t relax any of our measures while the virus is still alive. This is the responsible way to go and only a very small minority has been negative.”
Martin McNamara, Ennis Mart, Co Clare
“We are advising farmers to wear a mask but it is optional. The main thing is people remember to keep their social distance and take the right precautions when around others.
“Between 50% and 60% of farmers are wearing masks and we would heavily encourage that they be worn in confined areas such as around the ring.
“People were beginning to become a little lax but since the three counties were restricted everyone is much more cautious again.”
Seán Leahy, Fermoy Mart, Co Cork
“We are lucky here in Fermoy in that our cattle ring is big and there is loads of room for sellers. We kept our distancing at two metres and have over 50 buyers at our sales.
“We will be now recommending that farmers wear a mask in the mart but it won’t be mandatory. At the minute roughly one in four farmers are wearing a mask but we hope with some encouragement from our staff many more will join in.
“Mask wearing is just going to be a part of the new normal and it’s something we all have to get used to.”
David Quinn, Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow
“We will be enforcing a mart policy that all farmers and staff are to wear masks while indoors. We are going to allow for a one week adjusting period in case farmers haven’t heard about the new rule but from there on it will be strictly enforced.
“Our staff will lead by example with masks on and we are hoping this will encourage farmers to follow suit. There won’t be a requirement to wear a mask while outside at the open pens but anywhere indoors and around the ring the masks must be worn.
“Given that shops and many other public venues require a mask I think it is appropriate that marts also enforce this.
“We are taking these measures to try and stay ahead of the virus and we are hoping the uptake will grow. Once a couple of people start wearing them everyone will soon join in.”
Read more
Farmers urged to mask up at the mart
Calls for factory closures must be met with ‘appropriate response’
‘Serial testing programme’ to be introduced in meat plants
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