Essential businesses urged to register
MPI is urging essential primary sector businesses and services to register with it so they can demonstrate their processes protect workers and the public by limiting interactions between staff and reducing the potential spread of covid-19.
To find out whether your business is classified as essential, go to covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/essential-businesses/.
There is also a list of key essential services on the MPI website mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sector-service-registration/key-services/.
Go to MPI’s register for safe practices to fill in the online form for your business at mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sector-service-registration/.
Click here for further information and our most frequently asked questions and answers mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sector-service-registration/the-ministry-for-primary-industries/
Federation gives guidance for farm visitors
Federated Farmers says farmers should supply all employees and contractors such as sharemilkers, contract milkers and other independent contractors working for them with a letter for them to carry with them when travelling to and from the farm. They need to also ensure they have their driver’s licence on them. That will minimise disruption to their travel if stopped by the police.
People should attend only for essential work. Click this link http://ow.ly/T78o50yW4T0 to download the pdf on essential services employee movements for a letter template.
Don’t stress weakening economy
Economist Cameron Bagrie is joining a chorus of calls for the Government to delay introducing policy imposing new environmental rules and costs on a rapidly weakening economy.
Bagrie says Government borrowing as a percentage of gross domestic product has doubled from 20% to 40% in the last few weeks as it tries to protect jobs and businesses from the impact of measures to control the covid-19 virus pandemic.
He expects Government borrowing will increase further and warns now is not the time to introduce more costs on businesses in freshwater regulations and the new minimum wage, which applies from April 1.
Fonterra to register for all suppliers
Fonterra has told farmers it will register them all on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ safe practices register. Farmers don’t need to do it themselves. Suppliers should receive more information via email soon.
Protocols present harvest challenges
As covid-19 protocols for essential industry staff become clearer the kiwifruit sector faces tough decisions on how realistic they will prove for this year’s harvest to be successful.
Growers have only one day to go for registration as essential businesses and all growers and contractors with more than five staff will have to register.
Businesses have until 5pm tomorrow to register.
Kiwifruit Growers chairman Doug Brown said he cannot reiterate enough the importance of registering.
Westland Milk Products operating as essential service
Westland Milk Products has been registered as an essential service with only operational staff required at its Hokitika and Rolleston plants.
Chief executive Toni Brendish said all staff essential to manufacturing and distribution are now working on Westland premises with the rest working from home.
Staff required to travel to work have been issued with authorised letters.
Brendish said Westland’s partners and employees all along its supply chain, such as farmers, tanker drivers, manufacturing and distribution employees are all working under strict guidance from the Government on social distancing and safety rules.
