The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is an applied research and information transfer organisation responsible primarily to New Zealand arable growers.
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COVID-19 updates
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> 11.00am, Monday 6 April
Understanding COVID-19 and different international responses
We've come across an excellent summary of all things COVID-19 prepared by two Economics Professors from the London Business School. The first link below outlines what is known about the virus to date, and provides interesting information about the demographics of the illness and its spread. The second link includes information on a range of possible health, economic and macroeconomic response options.
Access to personal protective equipment (PPE)
- The Ministry of Health has a process for distributing PPE to those working in non-health related essential services. Applications must be made through the Ministry’s website, and supply is not guaranteed. Click here to apply for PPE.
- To apply for PPE via the Ministry of Health, you must have a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). Any New Zealand business or company can register for a NZBN. Click here to find out how.
What farm jobs are considered essential?
Please follow the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidelines if you are requiring any essential service worker to visit your farm during the lockdown period. Federated Farmers have put together an easy flowchart that may help focus your thinking when prioritising tasks on-farm that require external assistance. Click here to open.
Other useful links and resources:
- MPI Essential Services Safe Practice Information and Registration
- COVID-19 Wage & Leave Subsidies
- Essential Services Employee Movement Declaration
- Current list of Essential Services submitted to MPI by FAR
> 5.00pm, Tuesday 31 March
FAR has updated its list of COVID-19 grower related resources to include:
Memorandum of Understanding between farmer/owner and employees under COVID-19 ALERT 4
This document is to be signed by employer and staff member. It outlines employee responsibilities for maintaining Safe Work Practices during the COVID-19 level 4 lock down period. Click here to download Employee Memorandum of Understanding.
Guidance for COVID-19 protocols on farms
This document outlines a range of safe practice protocols to help you look after yourself and your family, your employees and their families, as well as your business and your community at this time. Click here to download COVID-19 Safe Practice Protocols.
COVID-19 8-point plan for growers
Some ideas on making sure your farm business operation has all points covered during the COVID-19 level 4 lock down period. Click here to download 8-point plan.
> 4.30pm, Friday 27 March⠀⠀⠀⠀
Essential services audits
The process of setting up MPI site visits for businesses which have registered as essential services is underway. Businesses which work with fresh produce and export produce will be seen first. Arable business are further down their list. We will update you when we learn more.
> 3.30pm, Thursday 26 March
Essential services
FAR is working with other primary industry groups and MPI to develop a list of services considered essential for our sector. See below for the current list that FAR has submitted to MPI (it is changing all the time). We hope that this provides some guidance around who and what may operate. All support businesses must go through the same essential service registration process as farms i.e., if they have six or more employees they must complete the Safe Practices Registration Form on the MPI website.
Essential service documentation
MPI advise that due to the time pressures of getting their essential services registration process up and running, they are currently not providing any formal response to registrations.
At this stage, staff in essential services do not officially require any documentation; if they are asked why they are out and about, they should respond that they work at an essential business. They should carry their driver’s licence at all times.
Additionally, many employers are choosing to supply staff with a short letter outlining their job and place of work. You may choose to do this if you wish (click here to download a template you can use).
Once the registration process is completed, MPI plan to contact businesses to organise a site inspection. Then a certificate will be issued.
In the interim you can continue to operate, but MPI expect that you will already have robust health procedures in place.
Category
Essential services to support arable production
Food safety and verification
Independent Verification Authorities
Growing/production
On farm growing operation
Growing/production
Grain and seed merchants and traders
Growing/production
Rural contractors (cultivation/drilling/harvesting)
Growing/production
Agronomists/advisors/crop scouts
Processing and storage
Packaging companies including pallets and crates
Processing and storage
Grain and seed stores
Processing and storage
Grain and seed processing and dressing plants
Processing and storage
Mills – flour, feed, oil seed crushing
Processing and storage
Malting facilities
Transport
Shipping to domestic and international markets
Transport
Ports
Transport
Trucking companies – grain, seed, animal feed, essential farm supplies, livestock
Relevant support services
Mechanics/ farm machinery parts and engineers
Relevant support services
Tyre providers
Relevant support services
Fuel deliveries
Relevant support services
Irrigation repair services
Relevant support services
Electrical engineers and electricians
Relevant support services
Agrichemical and fertiliser companies supplying products and services
Relevant support services
Delivery of bees for pollination
Relevant support services
Laboratories – seed testing and diagnostics
Relevant support services
IT support and computer technicians
Relevant support services
Post-harvest facilities
Relevant support services
Labour supply contractors
Relevant support services
Waste collection
Relevant support services
Fumigators and fumigation facilities for quarantine purposes
Relevant support services
Chemical manufacturers and importers
> 3.30pm, Wednesday 25 March
We are aware that the wording around registering as an essential service has been confusing, and have sought clarification from MPI around the process and what advice we can give to you.
They have now confirmed that if you are a farmer with five or fewer people (including the owner) working at your farm business, AND you are able to achieve social distancing measures between staff in your workplace, including travelling, to and from work, then you do not need to register. If you have more than five staff (including yourself) and/or you cannot guarantee 2 metre distancing of staff due to the type of work being carried out, then you must fill out and submit the Safe Practice Registration Form on the MPI website.
Click here to go the MPI website to register or contact MPI at 0800 00 83 33 or info@mpi.govt.nz for further details on registering or the registration process.
This advice also applies to any contractors or industry personnel visiting or working on your property. Remember, that although your farm is still operational, you must enforce the physical distancing rules.
> 3.30pm, Friday 20 March
FAR is moving daily to adapt to the ever-changing requirements of managing the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff, then our levy payers and stakeholders. As such, and based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, the following steps have been confirmed:
- As of 18 March, all grower, business and research visits to FAR have been suspended. All contact or meetings to be carried out via email, telephone or video conference.
- All FAR grower events and meetings have been suspended for 90 days (until mid-June). They will be replaced with video meetings, podcasts etc. To be reviewed regularly.
- All international travel by staff has been on hold since mid-March as has any contact with international guests, or those who have travelled with, or spent time with international visitors.
- FAR staff visiting on-farm research trials must obtain permission from the host farmer in advance.
- Staff domestic flights are only to be approved if work is essential for FAR business.
- FAR staff are all set-up and able to work from home, if, or when, that becomes necessary.
- FAR has excellent video conferencing facilities and is well set up to host meetings with people or groups at any number of sites across New Zealand.
These measures will be reviewed and updated regularly as the situation develops. At all times, FAR and FAR staff will work within the recommendations set by the Ministry of Health.
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Black-grass monitoring on hold
The black-grass biosecurity monitoring programme in Canterbury has been suspended due to the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown. MPI spokesperson Tim Ryder says that while biosecurity is an essential service, only work which is critical to the success of a response will be carried out during the lockdown.
Mr Ryder says the black-grass programme has now reached a stage where this pause in activity is unlikely to have a serious impact.
“This is the first growing year when black-grass has not been detected to date and only two properties are requiring intensive surveillance. However, as we do not know when the COVID-19 Alert Level will be lowered, we cannot predict when we will be able to recommence operations.”
MPI are asking members of the farming community to keep an eye out for black-grass if it is able to be done in a safe manner. If you find something suspicious, take a note of the location, use your cell-phone to take a photo, and call the Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.