The Department of Agriculture has suspended mart licenses on two occasions due to breaches in COVID-19 guidelines.

The information was provided to all marts on 28 September by the Irish Co-operative Organization Society (ICOS) in a letter urging marts to ensure that farmers abide by restrictions.

In the letter seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, ICOS assures marts in level three counties that the Department has confirmed that because agriculture is an exempted industry they can remain open and operating under current guidelines.

It is understood that one of the marts closed down was Ballymahon Mart in Co Longford. It was closed in April, as reported by the Irish Farmers Journal, but reopened and is trading in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines.

Limitations

“I expect that the current restrictions and limitations to how business must operate will be the norm for the foreseeable future and perhaps out until the end of 2021,” Ray Doyle of ICOS wrote.

“Livestock sales are continuing, prices are holding well and, most importantly, the public health of attendees at marts and of mart staff have been protected by the current measures.”

The guidelines include 1m social distancing where there is a time limit of 105 minutes in a trading area that also has a 50-person capacity limit.

If marts are operating at 2m distance between people, then no time limit is currently advised.

Farmers attending marts must also wear masks.