Covid remains a threat to lifeline marts – warning
The continued identification of corona virus clusters around the country means that any outbreak traced back to a livestock mart could lead to closures during the peak of the autumn sale period – with severe implications for the whole industry.
That was the warning issued to farmers yesterday when the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers (IAAS), NFU Scotland, and the Scottish Government joined forces to call on livestock vendors and buyers to take the current guidance for those attending sales very seriously in order to avoid disruption at this crucial time for trading breeding and store animals.
Calling on farmers to strictly observe public health physical distancing guidelines, the newly elected president of the IAAS and group director of United Auctions, Donald Young, said: “We are asking everyone coming to marts to play it safe.
“We appreciate it’s hard given that it is usually a time for seeing friends and shaking hands, but we would ask you to please wear your masks if you can, keep your two-metre distance and only attend if you really need to. These are essential short-term measures for long term gain for all involved.”
Young said the whole
sector had worked hard to ensure Scotland’s livestock marts remained open throughout lock down– and all par ties wanted to ensure that trade continued.
He said that marts had responded to the Scottish Government’s two-metre physical distancing regulation by staggering places at ringside, livestreaming sales to different rings within them art, spreading sales over two days and restricting access to penning areas–adding that switching much of the paperwork to digital format had also helped reduce physical contact.
NFUS president Andrew Mc Cornick said it was imperative to keep the vital service provided by the marts operational.
“There is a lot of extra work going on behind the scenes to make sure the mart scan operate ,” said Mccornick.
“We mustn’t jeopardise this trade with complacency. Marts provide vital price transparency and should they be forced to close, everyone involved in the livestock trade would suffer. We would like to thank everyone for your efforts sofa rand please stay vigilant.”
The Scottish Government had been intricate - ly involved in drawing up frameworks for individual auction marts to operate, with each having its own regulations. However, common to all was the recommendation to wear face masks and maintain a two-metre distance with other householders.
“Throughout the pandemic farmers across the country have continued the production of food and the operation of businesses which support that,” said rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing. “I would like to thank every farmer, their families, the workers and all the businesses in the agricultural supply chain for helping Scotland to get through this.”
He said that with the autumn sales approaching he urged everyone to familiarise themselves with the guidelines drawn up together with the sector in order to keep marts open.
“We know coronavirus continues to pose real risks ,” he added .“Maintaining progress means we all need to abide by public health guidance, which matters now more than ever.”