Cabinet understands the role farming plays in the economy, along with the need to maintain farming systems subject to seasonal and biological cycles, including the lifecycle of animals and grass growth, restrictions other businesses around the country are not subject to.
“We need agriculture and food production.
“They are essential services, not just to feed NZ but also to supply the rest of the world.”
He is aware it has recently been a tough time for many farmers dealing with events like drought and flooding while some have been under pressure from banks and dealing with convid-19 has made life even harder.
“But to have the opportunity to continue to do business is a privilege many other businesses do not have.
“While continuing food supply is important the most crucial thing facing us right now is to stop the spread of the virus, which could decimate communities and the economy if it is not brought under control.”
Everyone involved in food production, including meat processing plants, has an obligation to keep their staff safe and he is sure proper mitigation measures are being put in place.
Some freezing works briefly suspended operations as they worked through ways to reconfigure chains to meet staff spacing requirements but O’Connor is confident the companies are innovative enough to get back operating quickly though there could be effects on volume processed as they keep staff safe.
He was unaware of petitions circulating on social media calling on meat companies to suspend operations for two to three weeks to ensure workers’ safety, which could paint farmers as villains wanting to put meat workers at risk, potentially putting more pressure on farmers and creating a significant mental health issue among many already struggling to deal with the situation.
Anyone pointing the finger at others at this time is disappointing, O’Connor says.
“We all need to work together if we’re going to beat this.”
Times are particularly tough for farmers dealing with drought, such as in Hawke’s Bay, where there is not enough feed in the North Island, let alone the region itself, to feed stock on farms where there is none, especially with sale yards closed and space limited at freezing works.
O’Connor hopes farmers will work together to ensure stock are fed and works are supplied in an orderly and organised manner.
The temporary closure of sale yards does not mean stock cannot be bought and sold and there needs to be a greater understanding about how online sales platforms work.
Though there have been some initial problems at ports O’Connor says the smooth movement of agricultural and horticultural produce to overseas markets must continue and everything is being done to ensure that happens.
Dealing with covid-19, the shutdown of many parts of the economy and working through details of what are and are not essential businesses is an ongoing challenge for everyone from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to every part of the community.
It’s unknown territory and mistakes will be made but the Government is doing its best to make sure every decision taken is in the country’s best interest.
“We have to err on the side of caution,” he said.
