Cattle marts are this week introducing new safety procedures including restrictions on where farmers can walk when cattle are moving about on passageways.
Aurivo Co-op’s four mart sites will have the new arrangements in place when they reopen from this week following an incident at Mohill Mart. Tuam, Roscommon and Headford marts have announced new measures. Other marts have also put restrictions in place.
The Irish Farmers Journal contacted marts this week and we outline below – where available – what new measures have been put in place.
General issues
Other relevant general issues pointed out by mart managers and staff include:
The general focus is to exclude farmers at times when cattle are moving. Many marts plan to allow a safe viewing time when cattle are booked in and placed securely in pens but before the sale commences. Once the sale commences farmers will be excluded from lairage.At least one mart – Roscommon – placed two staff members in high viz coats at the gate from the ringside to the lairage to prevent farmers going out to look at cattle before they enter the ring. The staff were filling the role of nightclub “bouncers”.Some marts are phasing in the changes over a few weeks to give customers time to get used to them. Similarly, notices are displayed at some marts advising patrons that restrictions are coming. Marts will pay particular attention to loading and unloading of cattle at lairage gates.Most mart staff take regular training in safety and animal welfare. Many marts will equip staff with new hi-viz vests with the mart logo. This will make it easier to enforce rules.Some marts will need extra staff.“We are also mindful of the fact that we have to respect our buyers and sellers and ensure changes are carried out without causing offence to anyone. We hope there will be a smooth transition but with all change comes challenge.”“The age profile of farmers is the biggest problem. Older farmers are not as quick on their feet as they were.”“Thanks for getting the word to the farmers – it will take some getting used to for them but when it is a blanket approach by marts, it will make operation of it easier.”“Cattle have been in sheds for nearly nine months now and once they are brought out they’re dangerous.” “Wild cattle should not be brought to the mart. Old stock bulls should be led in by the nose ring or brought straight to the factory.”A lot of farmers want to see cattle that they’re buying at ground level; it’s not easy to pick them from the catwalk. Old marts are not structurally fit to take an overhead walkway.“If new safety procedures are put in place then insurance premiums have to come down.”The new animal welfare sticks do not protect the person using them. Many buyers like to take a walk through the mart to see is there anything that suits them. Read more
Stop - no entry to cattle lairage!" target="_blank">Keep out: marts move on safety
Cattle marts are this week introducing new safety procedures including restrictions on where farmers can walk when cattle are moving about on passageways.
Aurivo Co-op’s four mart sites will have the new arrangements in place when they reopen from this week following an incident at Mohill Mart. Tuam, Roscommon and Headford marts have announced new measures. Other marts have also put restrictions in place.
The Irish Farmers Journal contacted marts this week and we outline below – where available – what new measures have been put in place.
General issues
Other relevant general issues pointed out by mart managers and staff include:
The general focus is to exclude farmers at times when cattle are moving. Many marts plan to allow a safe viewing time when cattle are booked in and placed securely in pens but before the sale commences. Once the sale commences farmers will be excluded from lairage.At least one mart – Roscommon – placed two staff members in high viz coats at the gate from the ringside to the lairage to prevent farmers going out to look at cattle before they enter the ring. The staff were filling the role of nightclub “bouncers”.Some marts are phasing in the changes over a few weeks to give customers time to get used to them. Similarly, notices are displayed at some marts advising patrons that restrictions are coming. Marts will pay particular attention to loading and unloading of cattle at lairage gates.Most mart staff take regular training in safety and animal welfare. Many marts will equip staff with new hi-viz vests with the mart logo. This will make it easier to enforce rules.Some marts will need extra staff.“We are also mindful of the fact that we have to respect our buyers and sellers and ensure changes are carried out without causing offence to anyone. We hope there will be a smooth transition but with all change comes challenge.”“The age profile of farmers is the biggest problem. Older farmers are not as quick on their feet as they were.”“Thanks for getting the word to the farmers – it will take some getting used to for them but when it is a blanket approach by marts, it will make operation of it easier.”“Cattle have been in sheds for nearly nine months now and once they are brought out they’re dangerous.” “Wild cattle should not be brought to the mart. Old stock bulls should be led in by the nose ring or brought straight to the factory.”A lot of farmers want to see cattle that they’re buying at ground level; it’s not easy to pick them from the catwalk. Old marts are not structurally fit to take an overhead walkway.“If new safety procedures are put in place then insurance premiums have to come down.”The new animal welfare sticks do not protect the person using them. Many buyers like to take a walk through the mart to see is there anything that suits them. Read more
Stop - no entry to cattle lairage!" target="_blank">Keep out: marts move on safety
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