FARMERS ARE being urged to strictly observe public health physical distancing guidelines as they gather at Scotland’s livestock marts for the autumn sales.

In a joint statement, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers, National Farmers Union Scotland, and the Scottish Government have joined forces to call on livestock vendors and buyers to take the guidance very seriously to avoid disruption – and potential mart closures – at this crucial time of trading of pedigree and store animals.

This call to action was issued as the ramp up in seasonal store and breeding livestock sales coincided with new clusters of confirmed cases of Covid-19 around the UK. Farmers and crofters are urged to go to the IAAS website at www.iaas.co.uk for guidance on how to safely attend these sales – or contact their mart direct.

The new president of IAAS and group director of United Auctions, Donald Young, said: “We have worked hard as an industry to ensure Scotland’s livestock marts have remained open throughout lockdown and we want to ensure the trade fully continues for all of our vendors and buyers. We can’t afford to have an outbreak traced back to a mart because the knock-on effect may be to temporarily close, which would have severe implications for the whole industry.

“We are asking everyone coming to marts to play it safe," said Mr Young. "We appreciate it’s hard given that it is usually a time for seeing friends and shaking hands, but we would ask you to please wear your masks if you can, keep your two-metre distance and only attend if you really need to. These are essential short-term measures for long term gain for all involved.”

Marts have responded to the Scottish Government’s two-metre physical distancing regulation by staggering places at ringside, live-streaming sales to different rings within the mart, spreading sales over two days and restricting access to penning areas. Also helping has been the switch to much of the paperwork being done digitally.

Despite the circumstances, livestock trading is currently buoyant, with both lamb and beef prices higher than last year, attributed to a strong retail trade reflecting people cooking more at home, the lamb demand triggered by the Muslim festival of Qurbani in July, and the restaurant sector re-opening.

NFUS president Andrew McCornick said it was imperative to keep the vital service provided by the marts operational: “It is the most important time of year for cattle and sheep sales, and for some, particularly in the Highlands or the West, it will be the only sale they will attend. There is a lot of extra work going on behind the scenes to make sure the marts can operate.

"We mustn’t jeopardise this trade with complacency," he stressed. "Marts provide vital price transparency and should they be forced to close, everyone involved in the livestock trade would suffer. We would like to thank everyone for your efforts so far and please stay vigilant.”

In line with public health regulations from the Scottish Government, IAAS has been working closely with their team to create a framework for individual auction marts to operate within. Each mart has its own regulations, depending on their own operational circumstances, however, common to all is the recommendation to wear face masks and maintain a two-metre distance with other householders.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Throughout the pandemic farmers across the country have continued the production of food and the operation of businesses which support that. I would like to thank every farmer, their families, the workers and all the businesses in the agricultural supply chain for helping Scotland to get through this.

“The Scottish Government has worked closely with IAAS and NFU Scotland on physical distancing guidelines to ensure Scotland’s livestock marts can remain open. As we approach the Autumn sales I urge everyone to familiarise themselves with these guidelines," said Mr Ewing.

“We know coronavirus continues to pose real risks. Maintaining progress means we all need to abide by public health guidance, which matters now more than ever.”

MP Alyn Smith was at United Auctions in Stirling this week and backed the joint call: “Stirling is home to great agriculture and our marts are vital to the functioning of the industry nationwide not just for stock movements but for contact and the craic amongst farmers who are often otherwise isolated.

“We need to be safe, and I’m glad to see such unity across the sector to take things seriously. The disease hasn’t gone away and the consequences of another lockdown, local or national, are severe.

“The message is clear, we’ll get through this, but we all have a duty to look after each other.”