The Tipperary man heading up one of the country’s main farming organisations has said that discussions are underway to find an alternative way of selling cattle, now that marts have been required to shut their gates.
Marts are among the businesses that have been ordered to shut to stem the spread of Covid-19.
This morning Pat McCormack told Tipp Mid West that discussions are ongoing about ways to sell cattle without the need for attending a mart.
He said that he is optimistic that a way can be found to ensure that Ireland’s farmers will be able to sell the hundreds of thousands of calves they are looking after at the moment.
The ICMSA President noted that the last time marts closed for a significant period was during the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2001 and he noted the valuable role the marts played during that period in matching sellers and buyers.
He said that they should actively consider providing a similar service again.
