Too many marts, says Coughlan
She said many marts are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain commercial viability and keep pace with the demands of today's societal, environmental and regulatory environment.
"A move to greater collaboration and perhaps fewer marts, offering better facilities to clients while providing the necessary geographic coverage, would be in the longer term interests of Irish agriculture", she said.
Noting that ICOS has been promoting discussion and development along these lines for several years, she encouraged the society to continue these efforts.
Minister Coughlan said it is self-evident that technology creates opportunity.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the transformation of Ireland over the past decade or two has been the capacity which Irish people, whether from urban or rural backgrounds, have shown to embrace and master modern communications technology.
The level of penetration of computers and mobile phones in this country speaks for itself. While some impressive progress has been made and in that regard she was happy to mention her own Department she believed that the agricultural community are nowhere near realising the potential which this situation offers Irish agriculture and the agri-food sector in general.
