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.