Following an intense series of discussions between ICOS and the Department of Agriculture, Food and The Marine, marts will be allowed to handle livestock trading in a limited way. The new measures will follow strict procedures and marts will not be open for auctions or public visitation. The marts will liaise with buyers and sellers and will match potential buyers of specific livestock to relevant sellers. Under the terms of the new arrangements, each mart will be required to prepare an Operating Protocol which will be subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture. Full sanitisation protocols will also be effected and no members of the public and no visitors will be permitted next nor near the mart premises at any time.

Source: Irish Independent March 31, 2020 07:41 UTC