Talks over the long-rumoured merger of the three Roscommon marts have been confirmed, although the possibility of an actual merger appear to be slim. Addressing the European marts association (AEMB) in Athlone on Saturday, Michael Spellman confirmed that talks had taken place.

The three Roscommon marts are Elphin, Roscommon and Castlerea.

Spellman, who serves as both chairman of the ICOS marts committee as well as being the AEMB president, said he remains unconvinced if a deal will happen.

“They (talks) had taken place alright but I’m not sure what will come out of it,” Spellman told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Spellman also confirmed that a merger would not have led to a closure of any of the individual marts, but would rather have been a sharing of services between the three.

“There was no threat to any of the marts closing. The marts would have been operating on a different day of the week in different centres … it would have meant that we could have been more efficient and maybe even employ some full-time people, have the same accountants, etc, but it hasn’t happened,” he said.

Spellman said that while talks have broken down, the door remains open for the three marts to continue to talk on a merger.