Dairy farmers have been told to make an on-farm plan in case themselves or one of their staff tests positive for covid-19.
That plan had to be easily accessible and documented and communicated to all staff members, DairyNZ covid project manager Hamish Hodgson said in a webinar.
This plan was crucial for the farmer to be ready for covid.
He said he knew of one farmer organising campervans to be brought on-farm if they needed to be able to isolate people.
DairyNZ Waikato regional leader Wilma Foster says she knew of some farmers who had switched their work rosters to fixed teams rather than rotating team members.
This created two separate teams so if a member of one team got covid, there was still another team that could operate the farm because they were less likely to be close contacts.
Farmers also had to consider backup staff. This could range from neighbours, family members or spouses or retired farmers.
“Start having those conversations early. Let them know and get their agreement,” Foster said.
She also suggested, if possible, that staff get designated to certain tasks, such as tractor driving or assisting the AB technician or vets, to minimise contacts.
DairyNZ had created templates on its website to help farmers get started.
“Keep it practical, do it over a few days and don’t get too detailed,” she said.
“If there was a covid case on-farm, what would you do, who would you contact and where would you find more information?”
DairyNZ general manager of farm performance Sharon Morrell says while it is not illegal for farm employers to ask staff if they are vaccinated, how they ask is important because employers cannot imply they will treat staff differently depending on the answer.
“They are not obligated to tell you if they choose not to. You can ask, but you can’t force the answer and you can’t treat people differently on the basis of the answer,” Morrell said.
Dairy companies were strongly encouraging their staff to be vaccinated but could not force them to under the law.
However, under NZCP1 regulations, a covid case is classified as a notifiable disease and can affect the milk supplier’s ability to collect farmer’s milk.
Morrell says they are seeking clarity from the Ministry of Health around quarantine requirements and what self-isolation or quarantine would look like in a farm setting.
If the farmer tests positive for covid but cannot be removed or isolated from the dairy shed, the farmer should talk to their processor to understand the next steps.
A medical officer of health will also determine whether that farmer can isolate on-farm or whether they would need to go to managed isolation.
The affected person’s health would be the main consideration in making that decision as well as their vaccination status, access to emergency services, whether they are the farm’s sole operator leading to animal welfare issues if that farmer was removed.
A Fonterra spokesperson, however, confirmed after the webinar that it would still collect milk if a farmer tested positive for covid.
“Our advice to farmers is that they notify us if they test positive, so we can work through a plan and ensure the appropriate safety precautions are in place,” they said.
Foster says the pandemic was an on-farm health and safety issue and farmers had to take it seriously.
“If we become so we are knowingly not operating in a way that is not protecting the health and safety of our staff, I think it could put you in a vulnerable position. It does fall under the health and safety plan of your farm,” Foster said.
