Marts plan for a June return

MARTS in Galway expect to be returning to some kind of normality from Monday, June 8 next, when they will be allowed to re-open for public sales as Phase 2 of the COVID-19 National Programme kicks in.

On June 8, marts along with small retail outlets, will be allowed to re-open for business – but only on the basis of strict social distancing practices being observed as controls relating to numbers.

Marts have been closed down for public sales since March 25 last when more severe coronavirus restrictions were announced by Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

However, since then, marts have received clearance to proceed with limited sales of sheep and cattle between buyers and sellers, although the numbers would have been well down as compared to the conventional sales.

Athenry Mart Committee Chairman, Michael Francis Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that while the arrangements in place for the last six weeks or so had worked well, they were looking forward to a restoration of the normal sales.

“Before the closure came into place towards the end of March, we already had in place social distancing measures so we will be ready to go from June 8 on.

“It is encouraging for the marts and the farming community to see a return to more normal sales activity and we are all looking forward to the marts reopening,” said Michael Francis Murphy.

He said that since the restricted sales had come into place, Athenry Mart had still managed to sustain strong weekly transactions for cattle and sheep.

Tuam Mart Manager, Marion Devane, also welcomed the return of ‘normal sales’ from June 8 next, but added that everyone would have to play their part in terms of complying with the social distancing regulations.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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