Friday, March 29, 2024

Daily digest: March 25, 2020

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Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has acknowledged the uncertainty being felt by farmers, growers and the wider rural community about what is and is not an essential service.
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He says a lot of the questions and comments he has seen focus on individuals and what is important to them.

“It’s vital right now that we remember what this is all about and that’s saving lives. Simple as that. 

“Everything we do right now has to be for the collective good of the country.

“Let’s remember that our sector is in the fortunate position of being allowed to continue operating – the vast majority are not. We are allowed to continue operating because it’s been deemed that we are critical to providing the necessities of life for everyone in New Zealand – that being food.

“So – in terms of work people are wanting to do on farm – some things are going to have to be deferred over this four-week period. That’s the world we’re living in right now,” he says.

The yardstick is: Is this activity essential to providing the necessities of life? Is shoeing your horse or getting a farrier in critical? Or emptying your effluent pond? Or maintaining the lawns at the golf/rugby club?

“Yes – that is seriously a question someone asked me,” O’Connor says.

“I know this may impact preparations for next season but most businesses across the country are in the same boat. If it’s not critical to providing the necessities of life, it has to wait.”

The types of primary sector businesses regarded as essential services and permitted to operate during the next four weeks include but are not limited to:

-Livestock and primary produce transporters

-Veterinary service providers

-Feed/Fodder transporters

-Feed and supplement manufacturers, processors, suppliers and stores

-Manufacturers and distributors of animal medicines

-Pet shops and services

-Animal control

-Workers caring for animals in containment

-Rural contractors providing services that cannot be deferred over the next four weeks, especially for animal welfare (artificial insemination technicians; stock agents managing and directing stock movements; winter regrassing for feed; fertiliser supply and application; shearing where necessary for animal welfare)

-Fertiliser manufacture and distribution 

KEY CONTACTS

– Go to mpi.govt.nz to register as an essential primary sector business

– Go to covid19.govt.nz for everything you need to know about the response

– If you have a query about essential services you can put you questions directly through on:

p: 0508 377388 (toll free)

e: essential@mbie.govt.nz

Protect your farm internet 

With broadband internet demand expected to ramp up quickly in rural areas, service providers are asking farming and rural communities to take some simple steps to help ease the pressure on the network and stay on-line.

Wireless Internet Service Providers Mike Smith says early indications are New Zealand’s internet infrastructure is holding up well. 

However, it is still early days with many more school children and business people likely to gi on-line under the covid-19 lock-down.

 

Kiwifruit rests for new standards

Kiwifruit leader Stu Weston has issued a call to arms to anyone wanting to work during the covid-19 lock-down while also keeping safe.

“This has been a shock and awe decision by the Government but it is the right one,” Weston, the Apata chief executive, says.

“With kiwifruit harvesting and processing being an essential service it means we are expected to keep going and we are talking to staff about their families, their risks and how we can mitigate them.”

 

Deer hunters go deaf to the roar

Hunters, anglers and trampers are being asked to stay home to avoid exposing emergency services to covid-19 should they have an accident.

For deer stalkers it means avoiding the highlight of the year, the annual roar hunt, which has just started but will ramp up in the next two weeks.

Hunting and outdoor organisations have combined to plead for people to stay home because search and rescue and medical teams could be exposing themselves to the virus if someone gets lost or injured.

 

Equipment dealer still operating

John Deere dealer Cervus Equipment is assuring customers though its branches will be closed for four weeks from today it is still operating behind the scenes.

Parts deliveries, workshop repairs, field repairs and sales inquiries can organised by phone and online.

Australia/New Zealand managing director Tim Ormrod says customers should practise social distancing of at least two metres from field technicians.

GDT to continue

The GDT trading platform will be fully operational, enabling sellers and buyers to continue safely trading core dairy ingredients.

Staff and key vendors are complying with restrictions by working from home and are preparing for the coming Trading Event 257 on Tuesday, April 7, accordingly.

Most GDT events sellers have confirmed they are business as usual and will continue to commit supply volumes on GDT events. Registered GDT events bidders will be able to check the GDT bidder portal from Thursday, April 2 for specific updates regarding individual GDT events seller supply quantities. 

IRD advice for businesses

Inland Revenue says businesses unable to pay taxes on time because of the impact of covid-19 don’t need to contact them right now. 

Get in touch when you can and they’ll write-off any penalties and interest. 

IRD says it will help if businesses continue to file, however, as the information isused to make correct payments to people and to help the Government continue responding to what is happening in the economy.

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