The Minister for Agriculture, Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue, has claimed that the level of activity at agricultural marts has decreased by only 16 per cent during level 5 restrictions.
Marts have only been allowed to operate sales online since October 20th.
The Agriculture Minister says the cattle throughput in marts came to over 36,000 head in the first five days of the new system.
Charlie McConalogue says this compares to just under 43,000 in the same period last year.
Manager of Donegal Co Op Mart and Chairperson of Marts Managers Ireland, Eimear McGuinness disputes the findings.
