It would appear quite a few mart mangers read my piece last week about the possibility of the Department of Agriculture meeting marts halfway in paying for new boards to display the €uro-Star ratings of animals.

Last week, I reported that the Department is talking internally about the possibility of a grant-aid system to help marts buy the new technology, which could cost in the region of €16,000 a pop.

Marts, being a high-turnover, low-profit business, would find it difficult to fund the entire cost of a new board with one mart manager I spoke to even going a bit further than that.

“Grant or no grant, I’m not paying for a new board.”

Over to you, Minister Coveney.