Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) has introduced a raft of radical new rules in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus within the farm community.
The rules take immediate effect from Wednesday 18 March throughout the country and include enforced social distancing and canteen closures.
MMI chair Eimear McGuinness said the rules were being introduced collectively across all their affiliated marts in order to comply with Government and HSE guidelines and continue trading.
“We hope that farmers and members of the public will understand the need for these changes and will work with marts in order for us to carry out sales in the safest possible way for everyone,” McGuinness said.
“We encourage all farmers that have any questions to contact your local marts.”
The new rules are as follows:
Everyone entering the mart must sign in so mart has a log of all people on premises.Marts only permit buyer entry. No other members of public will be permitted to the yard or ring. Animals - cattle and sheep are to be unloaded by members of staff. Sellers must remain in vehicles and give cards, dispatch dockets and contact information to a member of staff when unloading. Sellers can either be phoned prior to the sale of their stock and be permitted entry only then or can leave a reserve price for stock with the mart , or conditional sale. This will be agreed between seller and mart. Children are strictly forbidden.
Sanitising will be increased and adhered to by all mart staff and persons entering mart. Gloves and sanitiser will be available on arrival.Buyers must keep safe distance from staff in the office area.No purchaser should attend a mart if they are feeling unwell in any way.Children are strictly forbidden.Buyers must be kept at least two metres apart in the sales ring. A member of staff will make sure that this happens. We ask that customers will show understanding in this regard. Canteens will remain closed for next two weeks. As with entry, all livestock will be loaded by members of staff.ICOS
The statement from MMI echoes earlier comments from mart representative body ICOS, which said it was restricting the number of people who could be around a mart ring.
On Monday evening, ICOS environment and livestock executive Ray Doyle said: "It’s business, not as usual, but continuing for now and this may change day to day, depending on the overall situation and ongoing guidance from the authorities."
Read more
Mart trading 'may change day by day' - ICOS
Coronavirus: feed mills ‘close to full tilt’ but no reason to panic
Buyers only at Bandon ringside
Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) has introduced a raft of radical new rules in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus within the farm community.
The rules take immediate effect from Wednesday 18 March throughout the country and include enforced social distancing and canteen closures.
MMI chair Eimear McGuinness said the rules were being introduced collectively across all their affiliated marts in order to comply with Government and HSE guidelines and continue trading.
“We hope that farmers and members of the public will understand the need for these changes and will work with marts in order for us to carry out sales in the safest possible way for everyone,” McGuinness said.
“We encourage all farmers that have any questions to contact your local marts.”
The new rules are as follows:
Everyone entering the mart must sign in so mart has a log of all people on premises.Marts only permit buyer entry. No other members of public will be permitted to the yard or ring. Animals - cattle and sheep are to be unloaded by members of staff. Sellers must remain in vehicles and give cards, dispatch dockets and contact information to a member of staff when unloading. Sellers can either be phoned prior to the sale of their stock and be permitted entry only then or can leave a reserve price for stock with the mart , or conditional sale. This will be agreed between seller and mart. Children are strictly forbidden.
Sanitising will be increased and adhered to by all mart staff and persons entering mart. Gloves and sanitiser will be available on arrival.Buyers must keep safe distance from staff in the office area.No purchaser should attend a mart if they are feeling unwell in any way.Children are strictly forbidden.Buyers must be kept at least two metres apart in the sales ring. A member of staff will make sure that this happens. We ask that customers will show understanding in this regard. Canteens will remain closed for next two weeks. As with entry, all livestock will be loaded by members of staff.ICOS
The statement from MMI echoes earlier comments from mart representative body ICOS, which said it was restricting the number of people who could be around a mart ring.
On Monday evening, ICOS environment and livestock executive Ray Doyle said: "It’s business, not as usual, but continuing for now and this may change day to day, depending on the overall situation and ongoing guidance from the authorities."
Read more
Mart trading 'may change day by day' - ICOS
Coronavirus: feed mills ‘close to full tilt’ but no reason to panic
Buyers only at Bandon ringside
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