Are the marts about to re-open?

Auctioneers’ Association spokesman James Johnston, who manages the Ulster Farmers’ Mart in Enniskillen, confirmed that the draft protocols developed up to this point reflect many of the criteria now being followed at marts in GB.

He added: “We want to make certain that public health is protected against the spread of coronavirus. This includes protecting our staff, customers, and the wider general public.

“In addition, we are committed to ensuring that the food supply chain is not disrupted. Livestock movements are essential for this and should be facilitated in the most efficient and protective way.”

Included within the protocols now under discussion is the assertion that no breeding stock should be sold at this time (cattle or sheep). In addition, sellers will be requested to prioritise the supply of stock that the food supply chain requires. This includes prime-stock, cull animals, and store animals (cattle and sheep)

Under the protocols being developed, only buyers will be permitted onto mart premises. They must be pre-registered to attend the market, as numbers will be strictly limited due to social distancing and declare they are healthy and not in known contact with anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms.

Marts are to keep a log of buyers who attend each sale and this will include name, address, and contact number. Buyers must also strictly adhere to social distancing measures: rings and galleries will be marked out to ensure a minimum two metre spacing between buyers.

James Johnston again: “As numbers of stock will be limited sellers must pre-book animals with the mart and provide a contact number. Sellers must also remain in their vehicles on arrival and hand paperwork through a window to mart staff. They must not take paperwork to the office or enter the mart premises at any time for any reason.

“Marts will erect clear signage so sellers are well aware of their obligations. Sellers must leave the mart yard as soon as animals are off-loaded. All stock will be sold conditionally and sellers will be contacted shortly after the point of sale with prices.”

James went on to point out that it will take a number of days before any final agreement is arrived at between the NILAA, DAERA and the HSE.

He added: “Even if these were approved today no members of NILAA would be operating live sales, as far as I am aware, under current circumstances.”

The Ulster Farmers’ Mart in Enniskillen is unlikely to open up again for live sales before the end of this month.

James further explained: “In the meantime, we will be hosting on-line sales. The first of these events is planned for April 16th.

“Sellers will pre-book and drop-off stock at the yard. They will never leave their vehicles before going home. There will be no buyers present either. Stock will be videoed by a small team of staff and uploaded online for a timed auction.”

Shaun Irvine, the owner of Ballymena Mart, told Farming life that it’s unlikely that live sales will be held at that venue before April 20th.

He added: “It would make no sense at all to have livestock sales taking place prior to the Covid-19 outbreak peaking.

“All the members of the Auctioneers’ Association took the decision to close their marts on a voluntary basis. We wanted to protect our staff, customers, and the wider general public. This remains our priority.”

Commenting on these matters, a spokesperson for the Ulster Farmers’ Union said: “The Ulster Farmers’ Union has been working with the marts and DAERA to ensure that robust controls are developed to allow the livestock marts to reopen so that essential farm trade can recommence as soon as possible. While this will be on a more limited basis, efforts are being made to ensure that competitive trade will be maintained.”

A DAERA Spokesperson said: “The Department welcomes the robust operational protocols being developed by the marts in conjunction with stakeholders which will enable them to reopen in some capacity in the near future and conduct business in a manner that is safe for staff, farmers and buyers.”