The Government met this week to debate recent advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The outcome was that the requirement for compulsory mask-wearing at livestock marts will be lifted from Monday, 28 February, 2022, as per the new public health guidelines. Basically this means that there will no longer be specific Covid rules for marts from then on.
Over time, buyers have returned to the ring and online sales have continued as part of a blended approach. Cattle throughput at marts increased from 1,530,604 in 2020 to 1,841,958 in 2021, despite lockdown challenges.
Grants totaling €233,695 were provided to 61 marts in 2021, to fund ICT infrastructure to support online sales under the Marts ICT Infrastructure Scheme. Under the scheme, livestock marts could apply to the Department of Agriculture for a grant of a maximum of €5,000 to cover 50% of this expenditure.
“Mart managers and their staff, as well as buyers and sellers of livestock, have shown tremendous resilience, agility, and resourcefulness during the pandemic in dealing with the challenges of Covid-19 while continuing to trade online and at the ring,” Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said, noting the struggle that mart staff and farmers faced keeping marts operational.
LSL News.