IFA national livestock chairman, Brendan Golden, has said that farmers selling cattle should ensure that their payment is secure.
He made the comment in relation to marts operating under COVID-19 restrictions and more activity on private farm-to-farm sales as well as increased live exports.
“It’s IFA policy to insist on payment on the day or ensure that you are selling through an outlet where payment is guaranteed or secure.”
Marts re-open
While marts are not operating as normal, they are providing a valuable service to farmers in most parts of the country, he stressed.
“The sooner marts can fully re-open the better. There is an increased level of direct selling going on and farmers need to be extra vigilant regarding security of payment,” he added.
Payment arrangements
The IFA livestock leader said farmers should be extremely carefully about payment arrangements before parting with their stock.
“Sell through a local licensed mart where you know your payment is secure or insist on payment upfront on the day is the best approach.”
Golden said there have been “too many cases” over the years where farmers have been promised payment, but it never materialised, or they had to wait a very long time to get their money.
