Mart sales ‘best way to avoid retail profiteering’

Beef farmers can reduce retail sector profiteering by selling their animals in livestock marts rather than via private sales, says Michael Spellman, president of the European Association of Livestock Markets.

“The large multinational retailers are constantly thinking of new and creative ways to minimise the throughput of cattle and sheep through livestock markets,” said Mr Spellman, who also chairs the ICOS marts committee.

“They must compete in a fair manner in a livestock market, but can offer poorer prices to farmers if animals are sold privately,” he said.