The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has requested personnel from all livestock marts in the country to attend a meeting in relation to financial aspects of mart management.

Agriland understands that the meeting is to be held on May 11, with mart management personnel and other mart officials asked to attend.

The PSRA is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the property services sector (auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) in Ireland.

Sources indicated to Agriland that the "operations" of marts is expected to be part of the agenda of the meeting.

Specifically, it is understood that the management of client accounts will be the subject of discussions.

It is understood that an audit of some marts was carried out by the PSRA recently, from which concerns arose over finances.

However, the mart sources said that the issue is "complex" and "broader issues" should be considered.

These issues include non-payment for animals by a small cohort of buyers, putting pressure on client accounts.

In a statement to Agriland, the PSRA said: "The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has invited all licenced marts to attend a meeting on May 11, 2025.

"The central theme of this meeting is to address statutory requirements... including compliance with the client moneys regulations," the PSRA statement said.

Also commenting on the meeting, a spokesperson for the the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), which represents many livestock marts around the country, said: "The marts welcome ongoing information and guidance from the regulator and anticipate a productive and informative meeting on that basis."

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that it has taken enforcement action against six marts and seven individuals in relation to alleged animal welfare breaches.

The action arose following the broadcast of an RTÉ Investigates programme in July 2023.

Footage from several marts in various locations appeared to show calves being kicked, beaten with sticks, dragged by their ears and tails, and thrown on and off trailers.

Following the broadcast, DAFM said that it “conducted investigations into suspected animal welfare-related offences that may have occurred in six mart premises”.

A spokesperson at the department said that these investigations encompassed a detailed examination of over 19 hours of unedited footage obtained from RTÉ, records retained by businesses concerned, and all relevant legislation.

“Matters of concern, identified by veterinary experts, were brought to the attention of mart managers, who were instructed to examine all of the issues raised and to implement immediate remedial action,” the spokesperson said.

DAFM said its investigation into these matters has now concluded and appropriate enforcement action has been taken against six operators and seven other individuals.