Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed the return of buyers to the rings of livestock marts in Co. Roscommon while adhering to public health guidelines.
The Minister paid tribute to marts’ efforts in keeping mart sales going while online.
“This is great for our network of marts across the country. Mart managers, their staff as well buyers and sellers of livestock have shown tremendous resilience, agility and resourcefulness over the past 12-months in dealing with the challenges of Covid-19 while continuing to trade so seamlessly.
“I know the famers and mart managers in Elphin, Roscommon Town and Castlerea are all delighted to return to the rings,” he said.
“I’m convinced the efforts of farmers and marts in recent months, adhering to the Covid-19 measures, has undoubtedly played a role in minimising and reducing the threat of Covid-19 in our communities,” the Minister added.
Cattle throughput from January 1st to March 14th was at 94% of the comparable period in 2020. Sheep throughput in the same period was at 100% of the comparable period for 2020.
“Livestock mart sales will continue to be a blend of both online and ringside as we move forward. This blended approach, with a strong online element, has proved to be an excellent way of trading cattle and sheep.
“I am urging farmers, buyers and marts to pay particular attention to the public health guidelines as we move forward. We all have our role to play in keeping each other safe and this is as important at the mart as anywhere else,” the Minister concluded.
