Wednesday, 25 March 2020 13:26

COVID-19: New MPI register for safe practice 

Written by  Staff Reporters
MPI director-general Ray Smith. MPI director-general Ray Smith.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set up a register for safe practice in the sector, with registrations due this Friday.

The register comes as New Zealand moves to COVID-19 National Alert Level 4 tonight at midnight.

MPI director-general Ray Smith and Agriculture and Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor met 90 sector stakeholders by conference call yesterday.

Smith says it was an extremely constructive meeting.

“I know that everyone who took part wants to do their best for New Zealand as we meet the COVID-19 challenge.”

Smith says MPI requires safety assurances from operators that their processes protect workers and the public by limiting interactions between staff and reducing the potential spread of COVID-19.

"The Government's declaration of essential services approves those operating in the primary sector, but we just need to verify that operators are following safe practices.

“We are asking 11 critical questions about how you intend to stop any spread of COVID-19,” says Smith.

There are a couple of simple questions operators can ask themselves before registering:

1. Do you have five or fewer people (including the owner) working at each business site?

2. Can you achieve social distancing measures between staff in your workplace, including travelling, to and from work?

If you answer 'yes' to both of those questions, then you do not need to fill in the form.

• If you answer 'no' to either of these questions, you must fill in the form.

• If in doubt, fill in the form. 

“Production chains should work to achieve separation between staff and adopt mitigation measures, such as protective gear and equipment, where possible,” says Smith.

Smith says MPI will do its best to advise and support the sector over the coming days and weeks.

“We are asking businesses to be registered by 5pm on Friday 27 March 2020. They should keep operating and are expected to already have health procedures in place.

“We’re all working together to ensure that our vital food production sectors can operate safely,” says Smith.

Find out about registration

More like this

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.

Bikinis in cowshed

OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Faking it

OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best…

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter