Latest coronavirus updates for farmers…as they happen [April week 2]

The country is in the midst of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

Here (below) are the latest farming-related updates and developments (from April 6 until April 12, 2020).

Sunday, April 12

9:00pm: Number of confirmed cases approaches 10,000

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland reportedly rose to 9,655.

14 more deaths from coronavirus were reported by the Department of Health on Sunday, April 12. In total, 334 people had died as a result of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

Saturday, April 11

7:10pm: Death toll from Covid-19 continues to climb

33 more deaths from coronavirus were reported by the Department of Health on Saturday, April 11. In total, 320 people had died as a result of Covid-19 across the country.

Meanwhile, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland reportedly rose to 8,928.

11:08am: Jimmy Butler resigns as president of the FTMTA

Jimmy Butler resigned from his position as president of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA). He served in the role since January 2019.

The announcement was made (in a statement) to the association’s membership on Friday, April 10. In the statement, the association thanked Jimmy Butler – who has also served for a considerable period as a council member – for his work.

Friday, April 10

4:17pm: Covid-19 restrictions to be extended until Tuesday, May 5

The Taoiseach – Leo Varadkar – announced that the Covid-19 restrictions will be extended for a further three weeks until Tuesday, May 5.

The announcement was made today (Friday, April 10) following a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

3:47pm: FBD among insurers agreeing to reduce premiums for businesses

FBD was among a number of key companies in the insurance sector that agreed to reduce premiums for business customers “to reflect reduced levels of [activity] exposure as a result of Covid-19”.

3:03pm: FTMTA: Machinery firms will play part to keep agri sector going

In a statement to its members, the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) assured that companies may continue to repair agricultural implements and source parts at this time – as a key factor needed to keep machinery/equipment moving.

1:12pm: How are meat plant staff faring with social distancing?

AgriLand spoke to Greg Ennis of SIPTU, who is responsible for overseeing the Agriculture, Ingredients, Food and Drink Sector of the trade union.

He noted that, in some instances, there have been “concerns raised – similar to the concerns raised in the North – regarding physical distancing”.

He also said that some plants had brought in measures to mitigate the spread of the virus (including temperature testing, where suppliers, workers, management and others have their temperatures tested before being allowed on-site). Many plants have put provisions in place to make social distancing possible.

12:59pm: NI vets could be drafted into hospitals in Covid-19 continguency plan

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has confirmed that Northern Ireland vets could be drafted into hospitals to help with the Covid-19 response.

11:40am: ICOS seeks 3 urgent measures to protect marts

The Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS) wrote to the Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, seeking the provision of three actions to support marts through the Covid-19 pandemic.

These measures include: a local authority rates amnesty for 12 months; that national Government insurance underwrites a proportion of mart business; and grant aid provision for investment in IT and online trading developments in marts.

00:01am: Finance ministers from EU member states agree on Covid-19 fund

Finance ministers from EU member states agreed a rescue fund – to help combat the Covid-19 crisis. It reportedly amounts to €500 billion.

The fund will comprise credit lines and low-cost loans. In particular, through the European Stability Mechanism – the EU’s bailout fund – €240 billion will reportedly be available via emergency credit packages.

Thursday, April 9

5:29pm: Future Growth Loan Scheme allocated additional €200 million

The Future Growth Loan Scheme received a boost of €200 million in Covid-19 funding from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

4:33pm: Full clearance of calves at first ‘tender sale’ at Kilkenny Mart

Some 200 calves were on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Tuesday last, April 7. This was the first sale that took place at the venue under a new ‘tender’ system due to Covid-19 restrictions.

4:12pm: Next EU agriculture ministers meeting scheduled

It was announced that the next meeting of the European Agriculture and Fisheries Council, which brings together the agriculture ministers from the EU’s member states, is scheduled to take place on April 27 and 28.

4:00pm: Lakeland drops March milk price as Covid-19 bites

Lakeland Dairies became the first processor to reveal its milk price for the month of March, revealing a sharp drop from February.

In the Republic of Ireland, a price of 30c/L including VAT and lactose bonus will be paid for milk supplied in March.

2:46pm: DAERA relaxes restrictions for herds overdue TB tests

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poots relaxed restrictions for herds overdue their TB tests.

2:35pm: Department outlines key changes in new land mapping system for payments

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the phased roll-out of the new Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is continuing in 2020, with five counties transitioning over from the old system this year.

1:19pm: Letter: Commissioner Wojciechowski updates EU agriculture ministers

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, again wrote to the bloc’s agriculture ministers.

In a wide-ranging letter, he noted: “I have listened to your concerns and [already] announced flexibilities and simplifications that will guarantee the continuation of support to farmers.

The final legal steps are currently being taken to adopt these measures as quickly as possible.

12:56pm: Cherbourg routes included in €15 million aid for ferry operators

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, announced (earlier in the week) the designation of five strategic maritime routes as Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes. This designation is temporary, lasting for up to three months (in response to restrictions on movement and shipping brought about by Covid-19).

The state will make a maximum contribution of €15 million towards the costs involved. The Dublin-Cherbourg and Rosslare-Cherbourg routes have been included. Cherbourg is a significant location/port, with regard to the exportation of livestock.

11:12am: 5 Irish dairy products make Aldi’s top 20 items now filling trolleys

Aldi Ireland released a list of its top 20 selling products over the last three-week period – with Irish dairy products making up a quarter of the list, and Irish milk and butter taking the top two rankings.

10:35am: Co-ops training staff and redirecting milk where needed

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Dairy Committee chairman Tom Phelan said that dairy co-ops are “working very hard together on contingency planning” in the face of twin threats from Covid-19 and the approach of peak production.

He commented that “at this point all is going as well as possible”.

He also said that measures being undertaken by processors include the training of additional staff and redirecting of milk where necessary.

7:00am: Minister appears to rule out changes to BEAM scheme

In response to an Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) proposal – to suspend the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) scheme’s 5% production reduction requirement (due to the impact of Covid-19) – a spokesperson for Minister Michael Creed told AgriLand’s Claire Mc Cormack: “The reference period doesn’t commence until July 2020 which should allow successful recipients of the scheme the time to meet the terms and conditions set out.”

Wednesday, April 8

4:18pm: Germany grants access to seasonal workers amid farm labour shortage

German-based media outlet Deutsche Welle reported that 80,000 seasonal workers, predominantly from Ukraine, will enter Germany during April and May (approximately 40,000 in each month) to assist with crop harvesting, subject to a number of restrictions.

This followed a seasonal labour shortage – resulting from the Covid-19 crisis.

3:32pm: Creed: Grants of up to €8,000 available for farmers in BEEP-S

Farmers and their advisors were reminded – in a statement from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Michael Creed – that the online application process for both the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) for 2020 and the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is open until Friday, May 15.

1:38pm: Gardaí launch operation to ensure compliance with travel restrictions

An Garda Síochána launched a major operation on Wednesday, April 8, to enforce compliance with Covid-19 related travel restrictions.

The operation – namely Operation Fanacht – encompasses an “extensive network of checkpoints” across the country. It runs until Monday night, April 13.

11:44am: ICSA dismisses MII ‘scaremongering’ on sheep

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) criticised Meat Industry Ireland (MII) for what it claimed was “scaremongering” by the processor representative group on the outlook for the sheep sector.

Sean McNamara, the association’s sheep chairperson, said: “We see New Zealand lamb continues to be stocked in supermarkets; yet we are told there is minimal demand for Irish product.”

10:34am: ‘Ongoing contact’ with Beef Taskforce stakeholders

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that it was in “ongoing contact” with stakeholder members of the Beef Taskforce, in lieu of meetings during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

A representative said: “While it is not possible to convene a Beef Taskforce meeting currently, the department is in ongoing contact…with regard to developments in the market resulting from the pandemic.”

10:19am: Farmers urged to reduce risks as Northern Ireland’s Air Ambulance is grounded

Farmers in Northern Ireland were urged to take extra measures to reduce their risk of an accident while working.

It came as Air Ambulance Northern Ireland announced the service had been temporarily grounded, so that medical staff who man the helicopter can be redeployed.

Tuesday, April 7

22:30pm: Minister Harris to sign regulations for restriction enforcement

Minister for Health Simon Harris said that he will sign regulations to give Gardaí powers to enforce Covid-19 restrictions.

5:48pm: FBD: Farmer customers with Covid-19 to get €500 FRS vouchers

FBD introduced a new initiative to assist farming customers affected by a Covid-19 diagnosis.

Upon diagnosis, and if a farmer is unable to work, a Farm Relief Service (FRS) voucher of €500 will be provided to assist in keeping farms operational – subject to certain terms and conditions (including a limit of €200,000 on the overall fund for the initiative).

4:17pm: North Cork Creameries reiterates Covid-19 measures

North Cork Creameries issued a reminder to all customers of its Kanturk, Cullen, Fealebridge and Newtownsandes branches that its measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 are in force.

These, the co-op said, include a number of changes made due to necessity.

3:29pm: Minister Poots meets with retailers over Polish beef imports

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poots met with retailers to voice his concerns over Polish beef imports.

Farmers slammed retailers late last week after it emerged Asda and Sainsbury’s had imported 400t of Polish meat, amidst the Covid-19 crisis.

1:02pm: Delay in EU action ‘inconceivable’ – ICMSA

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) reacted to (what it described as) a lack of a response from the EU regarding supports for the European agri-food sector. It said that the situation was “inconceivable”.

12:08pm: CSO defers collection of data for agriculture census

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) announced its decision to defer the collection of data for the Agricultural Census due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The collection of the census data was due to begin on June 1.

11:25am: Teagasc opens new phone helpline for farmers

Teagasc opened a new telephone helpline (076-1113533 or +353-76-1113533) to assist farmers with queries relating to the Covid-19 crisis. It runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm – Monday to Friday.

10:57am: UFU presidential officeholders to maintain current positions

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) Executive Committee agreed that the organisation’s current presidential team will remain in office for another three-month period.

It came as the union decided to postpone its AGM for three months because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

8:07am: IFA calls for removal of 5% production reduction requirement under BEAM

Brendan Golden, the national livestock chairperson of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), said that the association had put proposals to the department to suspend the 5% production reduction requirement under the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) scheme – in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Monday, April 6

3:51pm: EU to take ‘new measures’ to support farmers

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the commission will increase advances of direct payments and “simplify certain administrative requirements for farmers” as part of new measures to support EU food production during the Covid-19 outbreak.

3:15pm: Some UK farmers forced to dump milk

Some dairy farmers in parts of England said that they had been asked to dump their milk, due to the impact Covid-19 was having on processors.

3:14pm: Multiple factors see animal feed sales rise in March

Animal feed sales saw increases of up to 15 and 20% on last year’s figures, particularly for the second half of the month of March, according to feed merchants and agri-businesses.

1:40pm: Glanbia: Contingency plans ‘ready’…with back-up staff

In a statement, Glanbia said: “We can assure you that huge work has been done in the [dairy processing] plants to ensure that they are in the best possible position to handle the challenges ahead and to minimise the chances of any impact on milk collection.

“We have assembled a pool of back-up staff and have protocols in place across all the key areas.”

12:34pm: March was ‘the biggest month for grocery sales ever recorded’

The Irish grocery market experienced its busiest ever period over the 12 weeks to Monday, March 22 – increasing year-on-year sales by 10.1% – according to figures from Kantar.

Growth in the four weeks to Monday, March 22, was nearly three times higher, with shopper spend up 27%, making March the biggest month of grocery sales ever recorded.

11:22am: French dairy sector sets up milk-reduction supply fund

French dairy sector representative group CNIEL warned that peak season – which it says will see an increase of 16 million litres per week – is putting pressure on the industry.

As a result, the group set about deploying “inter-professional measures allowing for the smoothing of milk production”, first seeking permission from Europe to enact it.

11:05am: Valuing animals set to become ‘a serious challenge’ – ICOS

Ray Doyle of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) warned: “What was [previously] agreed is not going to suit every mart in the country. Some marts simply won’t, or can’t, open with these new protocols.”

In the course of a lengthier interview, he added: “After a number of weeks of the lock-down if we do not get the auction system going fairly quickly, the actual evaluation system will have broken down because you will have no auction to value the animals.”

10:37am: Covid-19: ‘Very worrying’ impact on pig sector

Tom Hogan, the National Pig Committee chairperson of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), said that pig prices were down 16c/kg compared to the start of the year – a situation that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

To see farming-related (Covid-19) updates and developments from April 1 until April 5, 2020, click on this link.