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In light of the heightened level of safety measures during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Livestock Auctioneers' Association (LAA) has announced additional security standards and restrictions to ensure continued safe trade at marts.

First and foremost, the LAA's priority is to protect public health at this time of national crisis, while maintaining supply to the food chain. In ongoing discussions between the LAA, Defra and the Welsh Government, it has been agreed that livestock markets play a crucial role in supplying livestock to the food chain.

We are committed to providing and facilitating the security and support mechanisms to keep livestock markets safe for all of our customers and staff, as well of course for all animals coming through the marts.

The LAA has implemented extra security and hygiene standards to help maintain this trade and support all mart customers through these difficult times.

Although sales of breeding stock have been temporarily suspended, the sale of primestock, cull animals and store stock is still permitted.

Readers should speak to their auctioneer before taking livestock to market and follow all guidance and advice, to help protect the health of everyone in the supply chain.

The LAA is regularly talking with Defra and the Welsh Assembly to assess and address the developing situation. We will be posting regular updates via our social media channels, and you can also find the latest advice at laa.co.uk/news.

Challenges

We appreciate these new measures create challenges, but it is important we work together to help deliver an
efficient supply of livestock to the food chain in a way which ensures a fair price is paid, while protecting
everyone from the virus.

In addition to negotiating trade between farms, many markets have now established other platforms to sell livestock farm to farm, including online sales and timed auctions. Details of all these options should be

discussed with your auctioneers.

The farm to farm sale of livestock sold through LAA member firms will be sold under the LAA's national conditions of sale, giving the vendor and purchaser the valued warranty protection provided for those sold through the live ring.

This week saw FGBuyandSell.com's relaunch, offering an LAA-approved way of farm to farm sales.

The updated FGBuyandSell.com makes it even easier to search, list and browse items for sale which can be searched by location if required.

Please contact your local auctioneer to discuss the options available for selling your breeding animals.

In 2001/2002 and 2007 we saw the value of livestock crash due to the absence of competitive bidding

through the live sale ring. Don't allow this to happen this time.

Your local auctioneer is independent and there to ensure a fair, transparent price is achieved. For the good of the industry, please use a trusted trading platform to sell stock.

Chris Dodds is executive secretary at the Livestock Auctioneers Association.
Call 01697 475 433 or email [email protected]