We will all have to make sacrifices and tough decisions during this unprecedented crisis

Aweek ago, the housing crisis was still top of the country’s news agenda, but within a week the coronavirus crisis has turned everything on its head. So much so that it’s even possible you’ve forgotten that today is St Patrick’s Day.

While the choice to attend parades or go to the pub has been taken out of our hands, livestock marts remain open and it’s up to every individual to weigh up the risks associated for them and their families if they attend. The merits of the marts staying open must be weighed up against the risk posed to human health– that must come above any animal welfare concerns.

The marts closed in 2001 when Foot-and-Mouth Disease threatened our entire agri-food sector. With human lives at risk, this crisis is far more serious.

In the coming weeks, and possibly months, we will all have to evaluate everything we do in an effort to prevent the spread of this virus. Justifiably, much of the effort to date have been to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

However, as has been emphasised by our health experts, this does not give everyone else licence to take the threat posed by the virus any less seriously.

The macho mentality sometimes associated with farming will not get the job done. Such attitudes will only serve to heighten the risk for everyone.

When I spoke to Professor Sam McConkey, one of the country’s leading experts in this area, on Sunday, I expected him to be opposed to the continued operation of marts across the country.

However, on the contrary, he emphasised the importance of farmers’ role in society and how the production and supply of quality food was never more critical. He said that while farmers must take precautions like everyone else, the agri-food sector, including farmers, has a serious role to play in keeping society functioning.

Professor McConkey’s view reflects the old saying that everyone needs a farmer three times a day.

This has never been more accurate. The role of those working in farming and the agri-food sector will be critical in helping the country cope with this crisis.

We need farming and the agri-food sector functioning as fully as possible now. We will all have to make difficult decisions to ensure this happens. And if that means shutting down the pubs or marts for a few weeks, it’s a small price to pay for the greater good.