Campaign grows for buyers to be allowed into sales rings under the strictest protocols

THE pressure is mounting this week on Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue, to push for changes in the Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions applying to mart sales, following a drop in prices and breakdowns in technology over the weekend at some marts.

Three marts in Galway experienced disruption to their sales over the weekend due a breakdown of the LSL online sales system while farmers, mart managers and the IFA also reported a drop in prices for weanlings, estimated at being between €50 and €150 per head.

On Wednesday morning, IFA President, Tim Cullinan confirmed that a detailed submission on the mart sales issue had been sent to the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, seeking changes to the Level 5 restrictions.

Galway IFA Chairperson, Anne Mitchell, said that while the technology advances as regards sales were very welcome, there had to be a ‘Plan B’ or backup system in place.

He said that she had written to all local Oireachtas representatives over the weekend seeking an easing of the Level 5 restrictions to allow a limited number of buyers around the ring, under the strictest of protocols.

“What we have seen in the past week is a drop in prices especially for weanlings – sellers have told me that there has been a drop of between €100 and €150 per head since the new restrictions came into place last week.

“On top of that, we’ve had three cases across the county where the technology broke down, leading to a disruption of sales which caused a lot of stress to sellers, buyer and to mart staff,” said Anne Mitchell.

Loughrea Mart Manager, Jimmy Cooney, said that a common-sense approach was needed in relation to the allowing in of a small number of buyers in to the ringside to purchase stock.

“We are looking here at an older age profile of farmers buying in stock who want to see what they’re getting. Most of us were brought up on the principle of never buying a pig in a bag.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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