Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) has introduced a raft of radical new rules in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus within the farm community.
The rules take immediate effect from Wednesday 18 March throughout the country and include enforced social distancing and canteen closures.
MMI chair Eimear McGuinness said the rules were being introduced collectively across all their affiliated marts in order to comply with Government and HSE guidelines and continue trading.
“We hope that farmers and members of the public will understand the need for these changes and will work with marts in order for us to carry out sales in the safest possible way for everyone,” McGuinness said.
“We encourage all farmers that have any questions to contact your local marts.”
The new rules are as follows:
Children are strictly forbidden.
ICOS
The statement from MMI echoes earlier comments from mart representative body ICOS, which said it was restricting the number of people who could be around a mart ring.
On Monday evening, ICOS environment and livestock executive Ray Doyle said: "It’s business, not as usual, but continuing for now and this may change day to day, depending on the overall situation and ongoing guidance from the authorities."
Mart trading 'may change day by day' - ICOS
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