MARTS will continue to operate under Level 5 restrictions, but all sales will move online and access to the premises in Ennis, Kilfenora, Scariff and Kilrush will be strictly controlled.

Sellers are asked to book a time to ‘drop and go’. Similarly, buyers must pre-book a viewing time when they will be able to look at animals in the mart yard. They must then leave the mart and make their bids remotely either online or through an app.

“It is going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that, but we’re determined to keep the service to farmers going,” said General Manager of Clare Marts, Martin McNamara. “We’ve already being conducting a lot of business online and Level 5 means our sales will now move entirely online. Sellers need to book with us in advance so that they can drop their animals off at the mart and go. Buyers, who might be working on behalf of a number of customers, will also need to pre-register with us, so they need to contact the office to do that. They also need to book a time to come and view the animals in the yard. They will get time to do that, under strict controls, and we’ll ask them to leave after that. The animals will then be moved into the ring where details will be taken and put online, and there is a live-streaming service available. Buyers will need to have the Livestock Live app on their phone in order to make their bids.”

In the coming days, the marts will continue a busy schedule at its four locations, with up to six sales a week, including a weanling sale on Bank Holiday Monday in Kilfenora.

“We are asking buyers and sellers to continue to cooperate,” Mr McNamara said. “Things will challenging, that’s for sure, but we will keep things going.”