Marts merger talks at advanced stage

Marts: Proposals for the merging of the entities of three Midland co-operative livestock marts in a new regional mart society have reached an advanced stage, as the livestock sales sector gears up to meet the challenges of the future.

It has been confirmed that the boards of Nenagh Co-op Mart and Birr Co-op Mart have approved the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society proposals for the formation of the new regional society which is to be known as Central Auction Services Co-operative Society Ltd. into which the Roscrea Mart, which is part of the Glanbia plc Group will be transferred.

Martin Varley, Director of Policy Development, ICOS said, “The strategy of the Central Auctions will be to operate the three marts with a consolidated management and staff structure and to strengthen livestock marketing in the three catchment areas.”