ICOS, who represent 25 marts over 60 mart centres across Ireland, is hosting an inaugural conference of Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh mart representative organisations.  

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.

Ray Doyle, ICOS Livestock & environmental Services Executive says, “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.”

The two day conference kicks off on May 15^th at Cillín Hill Mart and on May 16^th participants will visit a local beef, sheep and tillage farm before returning to view the weekly calf sale at Kilkenny mart. 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 implications for marts.

Joe Burke from Bord Bia will also give a presentation on the “global outlook for meat production and consumption. It is envisaged that this new network will meet at least twice a year to share experiences and discuss issues regarding the livestock mart business in Ireland and the UK.