The coronavirus pandemic is impacting on all facets of the Irish economy

THE coronavirus has seen all marts across Ireland closed just as the industry is approaching its busy time of the year.

With more than a million calves registered already this year, which need to be sold in the next few months so that cash flow can be maintained and grants applied for later in the year, action is needed from the Government to address the situation.

The shortage of shipping containers and a significant slow-down of components and parts coming from China to Irish manufacturers are just some of the impacts already being felt by Irish SMEs in the food and agribusiness sector due to coronavirus. This is another blow to the sector which is already vulnerable to Brexit.

The recent stockpiling seen at supermarkets across the country highlighted once again the vital role farmers play in the supply chain.

The coronavirus pandemic is impacting on all facets of the Irish economy, and farming has not been immune to this. But a special case must be made for this sector which puts food on the tables for Irish families at a time when access to goods from abroad is becoming more difficult.

The quality of Irish produce is renowned across the world. It is another reason Ireland is considered a world leader and for this reason, and many more, the sector needs protecting.

The closure of McDonald’s, Supermacs and Subway outlets across the country last week dealt a significant blow to the sector.

Multinational fast food chain McDonald’s closed its doors on Monday at 7 p.m. across Ireland and Britain. It has 95 outlets here.

CEO of McDonald’s UK and Ireland Paul Pomroy said that over the weekend it became clear ‘maintaining social distance whilst operating busy takeaway and `drive-thru’ restaurants is increasingly difficult’.

Sandwich shop Subway followed suit, announcing it would close all its Irish and UK shops at 5 p.m. that day.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) called for market support measures.

‘In these extraordinary times, it is absolutely vital that we do everything possible to keep cattle farmers in business. Cattle farmers are already extremely vulnerable, and we need to immediately re-set the intervention reference price to ensure price does not drop below current levels,’ said beef chairman Edmund Graham.

Fast-food chain Supermacs said it closed all of its restaurants by 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The decision to delay the closure was to allow the emergency services using the outlets for food to make alternative arrangements.