Milne said she has made it clear in conversations with the Government the definition of essential business has to be as wide-ranging as possible so farmers can keep functioning.
“They are part of the food chain and we need them.
“The people who do service farming, they have an as equally critical role as us who are growing the food.
“We need them like they need us.”
If farmers are to keep feeding New Zealand they need support industries to stay open, Milne said.
“They are attached to farming and a lot of them are already trying to work out contengency plans around how it can still function and service us.
“Some of this stuff has to continue or we can’t continue.”
Milne spoke after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday afternoon immediately moved the country from alert level two to alert three with alert level four in 48 hours after new evidence showed covid-19 has now been spread through community contact.
All non-essential businesses must close in 48 hours.
However, the entire food supply chain including farmers is listed as an essential business, Ardern said.
Milne urged farmers to look after their own wellbeing as well as their neighbours.
“We now have a lot on our shoulders, quite frankly. It’s time for us to shine – and we can.”
Milne said many farmers have been running on adrenalin since the first covid-19 case was found in New Zealand and had watched the Government’s response escalate to this point.
“Subtly, it’s been bubbling there wondering what it’s going to look like and how it will be implemented – but knowing in our heart of hearts that we have to keep going come hell or high water.”
