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Animal Sales

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Ceisteanna (271)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

271. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend as a matter of urgency the arrangements in place at present for cattle sales with particular reference to pedigree cattle sales in view of difficulties that have arisen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12366/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current Level 5 restrictions are essential for the protection of public health during this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and Government policy is clear on what Level 5 restrictions entail.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, my Department has worked intensively in cooperation with marts' representative organisations to ensure that marts continue to be able to operate while protecting public health and complying with COVID-19 restrictions. I would like to commend marts, their staff and farmers for the resilience they have shown and the speed with which they have adapted to these circumstances.

I understand tha tthere are distinct challenges regarding pedigree sales. My officials have also discussed the specific challenges involved with pedigree bull sales with the breed societies and mart organisations and, based on that, specific COVID-19 rules for pedigree bull sales were issued which enabled the sellers to lead the bulls by halter into the sales ring, while still ensuring the protection of public health.

Under the current Level 5 restrictions, mart sales rings are closed in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 being spread when people are present in an area together. The proposal that sellers would remain with their bulls throughout the sales, interacting and speaking with buyers, would mean considerable numbers of people present in an area and interacting together for a lengthy period; this is simply not consistent with overall Level 5 restrictions.

Livestock marts have systems in place to conduct online auctions and are continuing to operate, including the online sales of pedigree bulls. Cattle throughput from 1st January to 28th February 2021 was at 94.2% of the comparable period in 2020 (207,450 versus 220,169 head). Sheep throughput in the same period was at 98.8% of the comparable period for 2020 (135,234 versus 136,896 head). Online sales reach a much higher number of farmers and agents than in-person sales do. Farmers wishing to purchase pedigree bulls can avail of this system and pedigree bulls are being sold in this way.

Last week, I launched the Marts ICT Infrastructure Scheme 2021. Livestock marts can apply to my Department for a grant to a maximum of €5,000 to cover 50% of expenditure by a mart on necessary ICT infrastructure. Further information is available at gov.ie - Livestock Mart Licence Application (www.gov.ie).

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