The health and safety of mart employees and customers will remain a priority in marts going forward, an ICOS Livestock Marts Committee heard earlier this week.
Following the committee meeting, Ray Doyle, Livestock Marts Executive, said customers can expect to see marts introduce new practices on a continuing basis.
Practices introduced in marts vary from restricting all access to the lairage area to allowing set viewing times before mart sales commence, while some marts are looking at ways of installing viewing platforms.
Safeguards
“ICOS marts are committed to making these changes and safeguarding the future of the mart auction system," he said.
Doyle says that most marts report customers generally happy to work with the new systems.
“When we think of how marts were set up, it was never envisaged that the main viewing of animals would take place in lairage areas. The mart ring was designed so that customers could get a good look at animals from all angles and this is still the case,” he said.
Insurance costs for many marts have spiralled in recent years and it is not unusual for those dealing with claims to be facing costs of €30,000 to €60,000 and as high as €80,000.
“Addressing insurance costs is central to the future viability of marts. Health and safety and insurance go hand in hand. If we can limit the risk of accidents then insurance costs will reduce”, Doyle said.
SHARING OPTIONS