Ballymahon Mart in talks with renewable gas company
Ballymahon Mart is exploring the possibility of a lease deal with a renewable gas company, following a shareholder vote the mart held last night (February 18).
Shareholders of Longford Westmeath Livestock Mart (often referred to as Ballymahon Mart) voted during an emergency general meeting (EGM) on the matter.
While the vote passed, it was not unanimous, and at least one farmer told Agriland that he plans to object to the lease.
A statement from Nephin Renewable Gas said: "Shareholders of Longford Westmeath Livestock Mart have approved progressing a co-operation agreement with Nephin Renewable Gas to assess the viability of a biomethane plant at Ballymahon.
"The proposed arrangement would diversify the mart’s business model by leveraging an underutilised land asset, preserving long-term strategic control while unlocking medium-term value."
The statement also added: "The development could also create feedstock supply opportunities for mart members, integrating the project into the wider agricultural ecosystem while supporting the decarbonisation of the local agri community and contributing to Ireland’s climate objectives.”
According to Ballymahon Municipal District Cllr. Paul Ross, "this will have no impact on the mart site".
He said the mart owns a "holding of land, and it’s on a site outside of the town".
"Any development of the site would have to go through the full rigours of planning."
Cllr. Ross added that the company involved is seeking to lease, not acquire a site.
“It’s very early days. It would go through the proper planning channels.
"But this will not affect the mart operations in any way shape or form.”
‘Delighted’
Ballymahon Municipal District Cllr. Martin Skelly told Agriland that he believes it is a positive move that the anaerobic digestion (AD) project could be located in Ballymahon.
“I would agree with Ballymahon Mart exploring the idea in full. It seems like a huge opportunity for employment in the area and securing a future of the mart.
“As we all know there are marts up and down the country closing in this moment in time because they’re not able to rely 100% on the sale of livestock to keep their mart doors open," Cllr. Skelly said.
“There’s improvisation and business models the length and breadth of the country. There’s land that belongs to the mart that they’re willing to lease. It’s poor land, not useful for any other purpose.
“So to see a project going on that land would be fantastic for the community, in terms of employment, and the industry that it would bring."
He added that environmentally "it has to stand up".
"That’s an issue for planning. It would have to conform with all environmental standards," Cllr. Skelly added.
Objections and concerns
Peter Fox is local farmer and a shareholder at the mart who voted against the deal.
“I did vote against it on environmental grounds,” he told Agriland. “I don’t think it’s a suitable site. It is very wet land," he added.
Fox has family history with the mart. He said: "The mart was put together by local farmers, including my father, in 1960, to accommodate farmers to sell their cattle.
"The mart is not about renting land to a company to make gas.”
He told Agriland that he expects "a lot of objections”.
“We’re told it’s green.
"What’s green about it?
"I will be objecting against this AD myself. I’ll be lodging an objection on environmental grounds," Fox said.
He added: “I voted against it. And I’m a former director of the company."
Agriland understands that other former directors also voted against this lease.
A local resident, who did not want to be named, also voiced their concerns.
“I’m worried because my house is in close proximity to it.
“I have concerns. I’m concerned about fumes.
I’m worried about explosions, and I’m worried about the value of my house as well," they said.
