Monday, 23 March 2020 16:53

Farmers urged to continue producing food

Written by  Staff Reporters
Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis. Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis.

New Zealand farmers are being urged to carry on producing food while respecting coronavirus guidelines issued by the Government.

Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis says farming is classified as an essential service, so is milk and meat processing.

Lewis says that meat and dairy companies will continue to operate as the country moves into the highest level of alert for coronavirus from midnight Wednesday.

Lewis says the message to farmers is to carry on producing food while respecting the guidelines.

“We are good at producing food and the world needs food.”

Lewis says farmers are being urged to keep reasonable distance from visitors and avoid face-to-face interaction.

“Farmers will get tanker drivers, vets and technicians coming up their driveways.

“As farmers working alone, we sometimes crave for interaction with people but this is a serious situation and we must respect the guidelines issued by the PM.” 

The Government has lifted coronavirus alert to Level 3 and is moving to Level 4 in 48 hours.

Lewis says the Prime Minister has spoken to Feds president Katie Milne.

He said all farmer organisatons- DairyNZ, Feds, DCANZ, MIA, Beef and Lamb NZ and meat and dairy processors are working hard to keep farmers informed.

  “These are trying times; most people are working from home but there is a lot of hard work underway to keep farmers in the loop.”

“We are all in this together; let’s keep in touch by phone, text, email and social media with each other.”

More like this

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Red meat sector battles on

It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

Locally grown fruits, veg in full supply

One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.

Featured

Horticulture exports hit $8.4B, surge toward $10B by 2029

A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Be afraid

OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started…

Trust us!

OPINION: Ther'es a reason politicians rank even lower than John Campbell in the most trusted profession surveys.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter