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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Questions (53)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

53. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to ensure marts can operate productively should level 5 restrictions be reintroduced. [41703/20]

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Written answers

Marts have clearly demonstrated their ability to work productively during level 5 Restrictions. Since the beginning of the Covid19 crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with  marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts continued in operation.  I would like to commend marts and farmers for the resilience they have shown and the speed with which they have adapted to the new circumstances. 

The vast majority of livestock marts now have systems in place to conduct online auctions, so if in future we do revert to level 5 restrictions they will be in a position to continue business.  

Livestock throughput from 22nd October to 30th November - when Level 5 measures were in place - give a good indication of how well marts and farmers have adapted to Covid measures.  Whilst the number of animals traded through marts can vary for a number of reasons,  cattle throughput in this period is at 84% of the comparable period for 2019 (186,000 versus 221,000 head).  Sheep throughput is at 83% of the comparable period for 2019 (136, 000 v 164,000 head).

Online sales are reaching a much higher number of farmers and agents than sales on marts premises did, even prior to the start of Covid restrictions. The online service providers have reported that on occasions more than 40,000 people have logged in to mart sales in one day. The majority of marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices.

From the 1st of December, marts have once again been operating under Level 3 measures. Potential buyers can attend the sales ring subject to adhering to 2-metre social distancing, and can view stock in the pens without prior appointment.

In recognition of the extra investment that marts are making in IT infrastructure to facilitate online sales, my Department plans to launch a grant scheme in early 2021 to help with the purchase of IT equipment.   

I thank Mart managers and farmers for their efforts during COVID restrictions to keep each other safe. 

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