Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to ensure marts can operate productively should level 5 restrictions be reintroduced. [41615/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Marts operated succesfully and productively under Level 5 measures from 22nd October to 30th November. 

Currently the vast majority of marts have online systems in place and are operating through online platforms.Thousands of cattle and sheep have been bought and sold successfully online. 

Throughput from 22nd October to 30th November, shows how well marts and farmers adapted to sales under Level 5 measures:  in that period cattle throughput was at 84% of the comparable period for 2019 (186,317 v 221,234 head), and sheep throughput was at 83% of the comparable period for 2019 (135,881 v 164,330 sheep).

In addition to the high throughput figures, clearance rates were good and prices were robust.

These figures are testament to the hard work and commitment of marts to keep operating in this difficult period.  My Department will continue to monitor the situation, and to adapt measures applied to marts in line with public health guidelines. 

From 1st December, marts have been operating under Level 3 measures. Buyers may attend the sales ring, and can view stock in the pens without prior appointment, subject to maintaining a minimum social distance of 2 metres.

In recognition of the extra investment that marts are making in IT infrastructure to facilitate online sales, my Department plans to launch a grant scheme in early 2021 to help marts with the purchase of IT equipment.

I thank mart managers and farmers  for adhering to the Level 5 guidlines in such a diligent manner in order to protect each other.