A network comprising a range of Irish and British marts is set to launch at an event next week, ICOS has confirmed.
ICOS, who represent over 25 marts across Ireland, will play host to an inaugural two-day conference of Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh mart representative organisations at Cillín Hill (Kilkenny) Mart on Monday, May 15th.
Among the speakers on day one will be Damien Barrett of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who will focus on TB in Ireland and its implications for marts.
Joe Burke from Bord Bia will also deliver a presentation on the global outlook for meat production and consumption.
On Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, participants will visit a local beef, sheep, and tillage enterprise before returning to view the weekly calf sale at Kilkenny Mart.
ICOS envisages that this new network will meet at least twice annually to share experiences and discuss issues regarding the livestock mart business in Ireland and the UK.
Doyle comments
Ray Doyle, ICOS livestock & environmental services executive, said in a statement:
“As a result of Brexit, the British marts departed from the European Livestock Marts Association (AEMB), meaning that there is no existing network between Irish and British marts.”
“ICOS recently met with the Scottish, Welsh and English marts to discuss the formation of a ‘lions team of marts’.”
“This new network will be officially established at our conference next week in Kilkenny,” he concluded.
TB testing rules
In other news, sellers of cattle in marts will be able to trade all cattle within the timings of their current annual herd tests under the new TB regulations which came into effect on February 1st, 2023.
That is according to ICOS, which released a statement in relation to the new TB testing rules.
A spokesperson outlined that only animals that originate from a herd that has not been tested within the last six months, or an animal itself not having had a TB test within the last six months, will require post-movement testing.
In that instance, the spokesperson added, buyers of cattle will subsequently be notified of any additional post-movement testing requirements directly by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Ray Doyle, ICOS environment and livestock executive, commented that:
“Farmers are guaranteed their sale day at the mart and there will be no disruption to buying or selling activity caused by the new rules.”
“If your herd has been tested in the last six months, including the animal that you are selling, then additional testing will not be necessary.”
“The majority of animals being brought to the marts satisfy the required time intervals and will not need additional testing.”
“In time, as buyers and sellers become more familiar with the new regulations, most will be able to time their annual herd tests to remain compliant and to avoid any unnecessary costs arising from standalone or additional testing,” he added.
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