Calls are mounting for a change of restrictions in marts following the chaos at the weekend, even after the government said that sales would continue in their current format, without buyers or sellers ringside.

On Saturday (October 24), one of the three main online systems used by marts had a problem that led to a delay in mart sales in 16 marts.

Some marts had to cancel sales and send animals away, while most had their operations delayed by about an hour.

Following an announcement by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Sunday evening that marts would continue using online-only systems, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) has added to the chorus calling for changes.

INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said that marts “need to be given the chance to facilitate ring-side buyers in a socially distanced manner”, adding that he has “every confidence that our mart managers and their staff can do this, as they have been doing for the last number of months”.

O’Donnell argued that the Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, as they apply to marts, have been “poorly thought out with no consideration”.

“For many of our farmers, especially those in the sheep and suckler sectors, the sale of stock at this time of year is essential in providing the income that pays their bills and provides them with cash-flow into next spring,” the INHFA president highlighted.

To deny these farmers the opportunity of getting the best price possible will negatively impact their income well into next year.

“This issue needs to be recognised as an essential form of trading. If off-licenses can stay open at a time where the chief medical officer recognises the clear link between alcohol and the spread of the virus, then there can be no reason to prohibit the ring-side sale of livestock,” O’Donnell remarked.

The farm leader noted what he called a “definite change in attitude” compared to last spring, with more people “questioning the restrictions”.

“In farming, there is a clear view that the government has got this one spectacularly wrong. It needs to accept this and act on it,” O’Donnell concluded.