Merger of marts set for approval

Marts: The merging of three midland livestock marts into one society is expected to get a vote of approval from shareholders in Offaly at a meeting at Birr tomorrow night.

The adoption of the proposal by the shareholders of Birr Co-op Livestock Mart will clear the last hurdle in the procedure for the formation of a new Regional Mart Society for the running of livestock marts at Nenagh, Roscrea and Birr.

The ICOS has been playing a co-ordinating role in the merging of the societies to streamline the operation of the marts for greater efficiency in the challenging times which livestock sale centres are expected to experience with the expected decline in livestock numbers under the Fischler Singe Payment system.

Shareholders of Nenagh Mart have already voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merger, but the vote by shareholders of Birr Mart fell marginally short of the required 75% at the first meeting. Under the rules a 75% vote in favour is necessary for the adoption of the proposal at one meeting, but in the event of the vote in favour being greater than 50%, but less than the required 75% at the first meeting, a second confirmatory meeting is required at which a simple majority is sufficient for approval.

Birr Co-op Mart chairman Des Dempsey yesterday called on as many of the shareholders as possible to attend the EGM at the County Arms Hotel at 8 pm to determine the outcome of the proposal for merging of the societies.

He said the merger was an opportunity to reinvigorate livestock marketing services across the region and to deliver solid benefits to all shareholders and farmers in Birr, Nenagh and Roscrea Mart areas.

Mr Dempsey has called for shareholders of Birr Mart to support the proposal for the merger, which is expected to be carried at the meeting.