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

Readers can find the latest farming-related updates and developments (from April 13 until April 19, 2020) below. The latest mart status updates map can also be found at the bottom.

Sunday, April 19

2:31pm: ‘Unacceptable that live exports would be held up by department bureaucracy’

A number of farmers were in contact with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) expressing frustration over difficulties with live exports, according to the association’s president Tim Cullinan.

9:00am: ICSA slams EU for ‘lack of urgency’ on Covid-19

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) president Edmond Phelan said that the EU’s “prevarication” on the impact of Covid-19 on farming is “utterly unacceptable” at a time when European farmers continue to feed the EU population, despite severe price pressures.

Saturday, April 18

11:01am: Minister Creed ‘leads pan-European push for commission response’ 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, said that he has “succeeded in garnering the support of all 26 of his member state counterparts in his ongoing efforts to secure a European response…for the agri-food sector”.

Speaking after final agreement on a joint statement emerged, the minister said: “The fact that all 27 member states have agreed this joint approach is a powerful expression of solidarity – one which I hope will register strongly with the European Commission and lead to decisive action as soon as possible.”

8:00am: Taoiseach calls for urgent review of travel restrictions, following fruit picker controversy 

In a statement released on Friday, April 17, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called for an urgent review of travel restrictions at airports and ports, following the revelation that Keelings – the well-known fruit business – had flown seasonal workers into Ireland to pick fruit.

When asked if he was comfortable with such developments (whereby companies would fly in seasonal workers), the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan told a Department of Health briefing on Friday, April 17 that he was “not”, though he went on to say that he didn’t wish to discuss individual cases.

The Taoiseach also said: “I share the discomfort expressed by the Chief Medical Officer about the report of a large number of people coming to Ireland earlier this week to work in the horticultural sector.”

Friday, April 17

4:56pm: ‘We advertised locally…and got 27 job applications’ – Keelings

Fruit farm Keelings responded to reports that it flew seasonal workers into Ireland from Bulgaria this week, saying that it advertised locally, but got a low uptake from local people.

3:10pm: Concrete deliveries for silage pits permitted during Covid-19 clampdown

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed confirmed that the delivery of construction inputs such as concrete for “essential minor works on farms”, such as silage pit slabs, is permitted.

3:06pm: Dairygold lowers milk price for March

Dairygold announced its March milk price, revealing its decision to lower the price for last month’s milk.

The processor confirmed that its base price for March milk supplies, based on standard constituents of 3.3% protein and 3.6% butterfat, is 29.69c/L including VAT and bonuses.

2:16pm: Carbery increases stability fund contribution for March milk price

Carbery reduced its base milk price “due to weakness and volatility in dairy markets driven by Covid-19”.

The board of Carbery, however, made the decision to offset/support this reduction (for March supplies) from the Carbery Stability Fund.

1:41pm: Polish beef imported for sale in Northern Ireland  

Northern Ireland processor Doherty & Gray was accused of importing tonnes of Polish beef for sale locally to meet increased demand from shoppers.

It came just two weeks after ABP was criticised for importing 400t of Polish beef for sale in Asda and Sainsbury’s stores in Britain.

10:40am: Commissioner ‘showing lack of leadership’ – INHFA

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) said that the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, is “showing an unbelievable lack of leadership”.

Colm O’Donnell, the association’s president, said: “The commissioner has admitted that market intervention for the agri-food sector is required and that there are legal instruments available to activate urgency procedures; yet he is sitting on his hands.”

9:01am: Keelings flies seasonal farm workers to Ireland

Irish fruit farm Keelings confirmed that it flew a number of seasonal workers into Ireland to pick crops over the coming weeks.

The Co. Dublin company assured that “no horticulture worker coming from another region will be asked to work without a full 14 days restricted movement”.

Thursday, April 16

6:02pm: Why Covid-19 doesn’t infect animals – VCI

A member of the Veterinary Council of Ireland said: “To date, there has been absolutely no evidence that [Covid-19] has infected any animal other then humans.”

The body said that farmers and the public in general should be aware of the differences between possible contamination of animals by Covid-19, and actual infection in animals, for which no evidence has been seen yet.

4:35pm: Creed chairs Covid-19 response meeting with Food Wise committee

A special meeting of the Food Wise High-Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) was chaired by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed to discuss the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic for the agri-food sector.

4:30pm: Across the Hedgerow: Rural lockdown companionship service launched in NI

Two rural bodies have joined forces to set up a new programme to support older and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The new initiative called ‘Across the Hedgerow’ will be run by Rural Support in collaboration with the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU).

12:10pm: Advance payments increase – EU

The European Commission adopted two measures to help the agri-food sector.

The measures will “increase cash-flow of farmers and reduce the administrative burden both for national and regional authorities, and for farmers, in these particularly challenging times”, a representative for the commission said in a statement.

11:37am: Department: Some full-time farmers ‘entitled’ to weekly pandemic payment

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection confirmed that some full-time farmers – subject to certain criteria – are eligible for Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP) of €350/week, if they have been severely impacted and have seen their income collapse.

10:50am: Bord Bia considers remote audits through phone and video

Bord Bia said that it is currently examining the possibility of conducting Quality Assurance audits remotely, communicating with farmers by phone and video, as part of a series of temporary measures and contingency plans in the face of Covid-19.

8:18am: Irish Shows Association pulls 2020 All-Ireland championship

The Irish Shows Association announced that it will not be possible to run its all-Ireland championship series for 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19.

Wednesday, April 15

4:48pm: ‘Beef taskforce must convene to plot way forward’ – ICSA

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) said that the Beef Taskforce must be reconvened “as a matter of urgency”.

Edmond Phelan, the association’s president, said that the taskforce must meet to “assess and address” the ongoing difficulties in the beef sector as a result of Covid-19.

4:29pm: FCI asks finance minister for postponement of Carbon Tax increase

The Farm and Forestry Contractors of Ireland (FCI) wrote to the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, asking for a postponement of the €6/t increase in the Carbon Tax that is due to take effect on May 1.

In a letter, signed by FCI chairperson Richard White, the organisation said that contracting businesses around Ireland were “experiencing huge cash-flow difficulties” as a result of Covid-19, partly due to increasing debts owed by farmers.

4:26pm: On-farm construction during Covid-19: What is permitted?

As Covid-19 restrictions on movement and businesses continue, farmers raised the question as to whether agriculture-related construction projects were permitted on farms at this time.

3:44pm: Calls for farm assist payments to be increased

There were calls for Farm Assist payments to be increased in line with the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis.

10:30am: Dairy farmers ‘asked to pay too much too soon’

Dairy farmers “are asked to pay too much too soon” after three of the country’s largest processors cut milk prices, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

8:28am: Gardaí ‘keen to allow farmers go about bona fide business’

An Garda Síochána assured that its members wish to do nothing that would jeopardise farmers tending to their animals.

It also suggested that farmers should consider notifying their local Garda station if they intend on making a long journey on essential farm business.

Tuesday, April 14

6:54pm: Retail of farm machinery ‘allowed to operate’ as essential service

In a statement to its members, the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) affirmed that the retail and distribution of farm machinery is allowed to continue operating as an essential service under the current Covid-19 restrictions.

5:27pm: Glanbia and Kerry drop milk price for March supplies

Glanbia Ireland (GI) and Kerry Group reduced their base prices for milk supplied in March by 2c/L (including VAT).

4:07pm: Updates on Covid-19 payment for farmers

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) received a clarification from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding farmer eligibility for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

4:05pm: Free online dairy breeding webinars set up

Teagasc announced that a series of online dairy breeding webinars – aimed at dairy farmers – will run from Monday, April 20, through to Thursday, April 23.

1:48pm: BVD testing continues – with ‘lowest levels’ of positives so far

Testing for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) continued uninterrupted in spite of the impact of Covid-19.

In a statement to AgriLand, a spokesperson for Animal Health Ireland (AHI) said: “With more than 1.3 million calves born and close to 1.2 million calves tested to date, over 50% of the expected calves born in 2020 have already been tested for BVD.

So far, only 0.02% of those tested positive – the lowest levels recorded since the start of the programme.

11:50am: Covid-19 restrictions: Farmer questions answered

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine outlined answers to a number of frequently asked questions, with regard to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Irish farming.

In a detailed statement, the department answered key questions farmers might have, including: do restrictions apply to farmers, will the department be issuing letters certifying essential workers; and can farmers move animals.

8:00am: Farmers with children at home urged to step up safety plans

Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Tim Cullinan called on the farming community to step up their farm safety plans in light of current circumstances.

Over the last 10 years, he noted that there have been 21 fatalities involving children. The majority of these accidents involved a child and a tractor.

5:30am: Bord Bia unveils support measures for food, drink and horticulture

Bord Bia announced details of its ‘Navigating Change’ programme of supports for the food, drink and horticulture sectors in response to Covid-19.

The supports follow a report, released on Monday, April 13, which detailed the extent of the economic shock caused by the outbreak of the virus.

Monday, April 13

6:50pm: Total number of confirmed cases stands at 10,647

527 new cases of Covid-19 (in the Republic of Ireland) were confirmed by the Department of Health, along with another 465 cases from a backlog of tests (from a laboratory in Germany). This brought the total number of confirmed cases to 10,647.

31 more people died here, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 365.

1:30pm: HSA ‘concerned’ over possible spike in child deaths on farms

Reports emerged that the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) expressed “concerns” over a possible spike in child deaths on farms this year, amidst ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

The authority was quoted as saying that more children are at home (on farms) due to school closures and that there are increased risks. The HSA also said that farms are – statistically – the most dangerous workplaces in the country.

9:15am: Veterinary Council of Ireland issues guidance regarding Covid-19 and ‘passive transfer to animals’

The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) issued a guidance note to veterinary professionals on the subject of Covid-19 and “passive transfer to animals”.

Included was a protocol for vets and vet nurses to assist animal or pet owners who may be concerned for their animal’s welfare or suspect that their animal may have contracted (or be contaminated with) the virus.

The council acknowledged that recent reports of dogs, cats and even (captive) zoo tigers and lions testing positive for the virus should be taken seriously. However, the council advised that there is currently no indication that animals such as cats and dogs are active transmitters of the infection to humans. This view, the VCI says, is shared by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Latest mart status map

The map below shows the latest updates for the island’s main livestock marts (as of Friday, April 10).

Some marts in the Republic of Ireland remain highlighted in blue below meaning no update to status has yet been made. This colour will be updated to amber – meaning open for essential services – as the situation develops.

If you have any information or insights to share, contact the AgriLand team at: [email protected].

Also Read: Latest coronavirus updates for farmers…as they happen (April week 2)

To see farming-related Covid-19 updates and developments from April 6 until April 12, 2020, click on this link.