Concern about the growing level of COVID-19 cases has seen mart rules tightened both north and south of the border.

In the Republic of Ireland the Cabinet was meeting on Wednesday to discuss further COVID-19 restrictions. However, as we were going to press, only buyers who have pre-booked a place are permitted to attend mart sales under the current Level 5 lockdown.

Face coverings will be mandatory for everyone in all areas of the mart premises

Sellers must return to the drop-and-go system which was in place during the previous lockdowns.

Face coverings will be mandatory for everyone in all areas of the mart premises, as well as strict 2m social distancing. Marts must prevent people from congregating in the mart car park or at entry ways to the mart buildings.

Online selling

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, who last week tested positive for COVID-19, encouraged both buyers and sellers to continue to use online sales apps.

He said the blend of online and in-person sales had proven to be an “excellent way of trading cattle and sheep, with strong throughput coupled with steady process in recent weeks, while offering a safe environment for those involved”.

It comes on the back of concerns that some attendees at marts were no longer properly abiding by the rules

In Northern Ireland, only pre-registered buyers, and farmers selling breeding livestock will be permitted entry to marts from 4 January 2021. The tighter restrictions were announced following a safety review and are seen as necessary to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

It comes on the back of concerns that some attendees at marts were no longer properly abiding by the rules, and after a number of incidents in recent weeks where mart staff have been forced to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.