McAleer calls on Agriculture Minister to look at online mart options

Declan McAleer said: “The lockdown measures introduced to help stop the spread of COVID-19 have the potential to create blockages in agriculture production as farmers will not be able to get animals to marts.

“The decision to close the marts was the correct one in order to keep workers, farmers and the wider public safe but it could create a backlog for farmers.

“In other countries, online marts have been held in order to maintain the sale of cattle and keep production and supply chains open.

“This is an issue I have raised with the Agriculture Minister and I am calling for him, together with the Livestock and Auctioneers Association and the Health and Safety Executive, to explore the option of online marts and other forms of non-contact sales where they can be carried out in line with safe physical distancing guidelines.

“In all of this the safety of workers, farmers, those who transport animals, and the wider public must be paramount.”