Two livestock mart groups in the south-east with a combined turnover of around £50 million (#634 million) have begun discussions on areas of co-operation, which could ultimately lead to a merger.

ICOS director-general Mr John Tyrrell, who has worked with Kilkenny Co-operative Livestock Mart and Leinster Co-operative Marts to develop the discussions, said that while it is too early to talk in terms of a merger between the two groups, "nothing is ruled out".