Cattle throughput in marts from October 19 through to October 31 amounted to 94% of the volume in the corresponding period in 2019, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has said.
The minister was responding to concerns raised in the Dáil by Social Democrats agriculture spokesperson Holly Cairns on the issue of mart trade late last night (Tuesday, November 3).
Noting that she has just turned 31, deputy Cairns said: “I have a birthday wish, which is for a small bit of cop-on in regard to marts.
I am wondering what the minister’s plans are to respond to the crisis in the sector. Given all the issues arising over online sales, could the minister make plans to reopen physical marts?
In his response, Minister McConalogue said: “By and large, given the way marts have operated, the volume going through them and the prices received by farmers, there have been many positive outcomes.
“It has been a challenging experience for both marts and farmers. While many have got used to operating online over the summer, many have not. There is no doubt that a blended approach to sales is the way forward and the way to which the system will revert.
“We are, however, in Level 5, and the priority is public health. Marts now have the opportunity to operate online whereas in the earlier part of the pandemic restrictions period, that opportunity was not available.
We went to Level 5 on October 21. From October 19 to October 31, the cattle throughput in marts amounted to 88,000. This compared to 93,000 in the corresponding period in 2019. It amounts to 94% of the volume in the corresponding period in 2019.
Continuing, the minister said that the number of marts operating during the period of Level 5 restrictions is the same as that operating at the same time last year.
Claiming that prices are “holding up”, and “up in certain categories”, the minister said: “Considering that we are subject to Level 5 restrictions, we should note that if the online platforms were down and only a small number of people — 20, for example — were allowed around the ring, it would have a very significant impact on competition in the affected marts.
“This is because the experience has been that while online operations have been challenging for some, they have meant that many have been able to get involved in auctions.
That is why we are seeing prices hold up and, indeed, increase in some ways.
“I acknowledge that the circumstances are really challenging and I understand the difficulties farmers have.
“I understand the challenges that mart managers have faced in adapting but, apart from Saturday week last, when 16 marts were affected when the online platform went down for over two hours, albeit with only four sales cancelled, the system has been continuing to improve.
“We are now seeing an increase in volumes and confidence.”
Deputy Cairns then raised concerns regarding broadband issues at marts, calling for the matter to be revisited.
The minister replied that he is “monitoring the position very closely”.