Ten of the country’s marts this week introduced new safety procedures and more will follow suit. These are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to farmers as cattle are transported in and out of marts, and herded in and out of the ring for sale.

They will end decades-long practice under which farmers enjoyed the freedom to move at will about pens and among cattle to examine stock before bidding at the ring.

Marts have been reluctant to introduce changes that might prevent farmers getting the best deal for their stock. They don’t want to see more cattle sold directly off the land to dealers, exporters and factories. But they have been concerned about the number of accidents at marts in the past year.

This week’s moves were triggered by the injury of a farmer at Mohill Mart. Marts are also under pressure from rising insurance costs, with some paying premiums of close to €100,000.

Most marts are expected to introduce safe viewing hours timed after all cattle have been entered for the sale and penned but before the sale begins. Once cattle start moving in and out of the ring, farmers will be banned from the lairage.

A number of marts this week positioned staff at lairage gates to keep farmers out. Others have ordered security gates which will only be opened by staff’s swipe cards. Some larger marts will set up safe viewing pens so farmers can judge cattle as they walk into the ring.

ICOS marts director Ray Doyle said some marts will introduce new rules in the summer when sales are smaller. “We need to allow farmers view cattle at eye level but they can’t continue to interact with livestock,” he said.

Read more

Keep out: marts move on safety issues