In light of the COVID-19 situation, Cork Marts has decided to defer all mart sales for one week. The following sales were due to take place this week but have now been postponed:

  • Bandon Mart calf sale on Monday 4 January.
  • Cahir Mart sheep sale on Tuesday 5 January and cattle sale on Wednesday 6 January.
  • Corrin Mart sheep sale on Monday 4 January and cattle sale on Tuesday 5 January.
  • Skibbereen Mart on Friday 8 January.
  • Macroom Mart on Saturday 9 January.
  • Cork Marts managers and offices can be contacted on Monday 4 January at the usual numbers.

    ICOS warning

    ICOS has urged farmers nationwide to minimise all contacts with others in line with guidance from the health authorities and to take every possible precaution to suppress and prevent the spread of COVID-19 at community, regional and national levels.

    While marts are allowed to continue offering online sales only, customers are asked to check in with their local mart in advance of anticipated sales as some marts have decided to remain closed until 11 January at the earliest based on their consideration of local and regional circumstances.

    Drop and go

    “Under the current measures, it is drop and go for sellers of livestock, and potential buyers may then view animals in pens for a short period of time and must then leave the premises and bid online,” said Ray Doyle, livestock and environmental services executive with ICOS.

    “All necessary health and safety protocols must be observed, including face coverings, social distancing and sanitising gels.

    “Marts and their customers have demonstrated very strong compliance to date and this will continue where marts may also take decisions to operate temporary suspensions of trading, or restricted hours, in the interests of safety.

    “We’re asking customers to check in with their mart locally and marts themselves will also be keeping their customers directly advised and updated.”

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