Innovative ways are needed to facilitate trade and movement of animals - Feighan
THE closure of Livestock Marts is an unfortunate but necessary short-term measure to take in this COVID 19 Emergency, Deputy Frank Feighan has stated.
“The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is working with stakeholders on contingency measures, to ensure that, as far as possible, livestock sales are facilitated without the need for the normal attendance and auction ring process.
“Marts in this constituency play a central role in the orderly movement, traceability and sale of animals that is essential in securing food supplies, whilst ensuring farmers receive a fair market price for their animals.
“Marts across the Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon have made significant efforts over the past week or so to reduce numbers attending and their efforts to put in place enhanced hygiene measures as well as social distancing in line with HSE guidelines. I want to commend them for this.
“It is understandable however that in the context of this major public health emergency that the practice of public auction of livestock - which is the business of livestock marts - has the potential, notwithstanding the efforts made, to attract a gathering of people which the National Public Health Emergency Team considered to be a risk that needed to be addressed.
“The challenge now is to find other innovative methods that can facilitate the trade and movement of animals in a transparent and secure way.
“Whilst no one measure can replace the public auction at a mart, we are exploring other ways in which trade in animals can be facilitated.
“We are currently engaged with mart organisations to explore other options where they can facilitate trade other than by public auction.
“A number of pilot initiatives have already been introduced, in respect of calf sales in particular.
“In all matters, the public health concerns are primary – in this regard the DAFM is liaising with colleagues in the Department of Health.
“A further update on discussions with all of the stakeholders involved will be provided in the coming days,” he concluded.
The matter was also raised in the Dáil last Thursday by Independent TD, Marian Harkin (pictured below) where she called for a more robust safety net “the absolute shock of mart closures in the beef and sheep sector is incredible”
“People cannot move stock and I believe we should investigate possible measures to see if with reduced numbers, or linking in remotely, that any solutions can be found. At EU level, we must lobby for an adequate intervention scheme,” she said.