Mayo call for decision to close livestock marts to be revisited

The founder of Ireland’s Future, Gerry Loftus, has called for the decision to close livestock marts to be revisited.

He said that their closure, without an alternative plan being offered, was “ill-thought out and non-realistic.”

He pointed out that last year, the organisation made an effort to bring mart managers together which resulted in the formation of the Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI).

Loftus outlined that the organisation now has in excess of 30 marts under the stewardship of MMI.

“Recently, we all put in an extreme effort to put a plan in place to ensure the trading of livestock could continue at this very difficult time.

“That plan involved farmers bringing their animals to marts and mart staff taking charge of stock from there.

“A limited number of farmers were allowed into the sales ring but now, I believe, that needs to be tweaked with no non-trading patrons being allowed into sales rings.”

He proposed that farmers should sell cattle subject where possible and that ‘drop-and-go’ systems should be rolled out at all venues.

“All that would be allowed into the sales ring would be an agreed number of buyers.”

“Some of these measures were implemented by some marts in recent weeks, however, as far as I am concerned, these rules must be strictly applied.” 

“Perhaps, marts should put in place assistant managers to oversee the process?” he suggested. 

The organisation is of the opinion that all sheep sales should be conducted in the same manner to cattle sales with entries being put through the sales ring.

“Mart staff, buyers and everybody associated with this process, would have to be provided with all the necessary protective clothing.”

“This is the only realistic solution to this problem at the moment.” Loftus added.