Update on situation in NI as on Monday 30th March
3rd April 2020
NSA Northern Ireland Regional development officer Edward Adamson has submitted the following information about the situation in NI.
Are livestock marts operating as normal?
All marts have now closed for a period of 2 weeks starting from 23/3/2020. This position will then be reviewed. NSA have contacted DAERA regarding this issue. DAERA are supportive of Marts as their continued operation as an essential part of the food supply chain but it is up to industry to self-police and implement a robust operational protocol.
Are meat processing plants operating as normal?
NIMEA (Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association) has clarified if producers should be taking any additional precautions or changing protocols at this time. • Only arrive with prior notification to the plant – your stock must be booked in prior to leaving the farm. • Ensure the plant procurement manager has your contact telephone number, and vice versa. • Adhere to all government advice on personal protection and plant safety protocols. • Double check all paperwork before leaving your holding – Movement Documents and Food Chain Information. • Ensure livestock are clean prior to leaving the farm, particularly hindquarters and underbelly where possible. • Producers should remain in their vehicle at all times where possible. • Ensure you are on site for the shortest amount of time necessary and leave as soon as practically possible.
Are live exports of sheep operating as normal?
Live exports at present are continuing to operate. • Only arrive with prior notification to the collection centre – your stock must be booked in prior to leaving the farm. • Ensure the collection centre has your contact telephone number, and vice versa. • Adhere to all government advice on personal protection and safety protocols. • Double check all paperwork before leaving your holding – Movement Documents and Food Chain Information. • Producers should make no contact with collection centre staff under any circumstances and you must remain a safe distance of 2 metres. • Producers should remain in their vehicle at all times where possible. • Ensure you are on site for the shortest amount of time necessary and leave as soon as practically possible.
Producer Prices
The market situation for virtually all products is very uncertain across the whole of Europe. The EU's Agriculture Council held a virtual conference on Wednesday with all of the Member States Ministers calling on the EU's Executive to introduce "coordinated and targeted" measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the agri-food sector. The outcome of this meeting is in the process of being summarised and the EU Presidency along with the Commission will evaluate and decide on further steps to be taken. During the Brexit transitional period, the UK can continue to have access to any EU measures introduced and the UFU will continue to monitor any developments on this front. A possible EU-wide request at this time specifically for the introduction of a Private Storage Aid Scheme for sheep meat was generally considered as being too early at present with the market situation to be kept under review, particularly when new season lamb becomes available, and instead various options should be developed which would generate a direct payment to farmers being preferred. In addition, we are particularly concerned and disappointed that despite farmers playing their part in keeping the supply of food as close to normal as possible during this present crisis, there are rumours of possible producer price cuts locally in the red meat and dairy sectors in the weeks ahead. This situation is worsened further by anecdotal evidence that some processors are asking their customers for a price increase. It is clear that farmers must not be taken advantage of and that there is a moral duty particularly at this time for the supply chain to treat farmers fairly.
What should I do with Fallen stock?
At present, there has been no changes to the usual procedure surrounding the collection and disposal of fallen stock. NFSCo’s request that collectors be classified as key workers has been agreed by DEFRA. NFSCO is issuing updated guidance to collectors as it becomes available.
SOYA/FEED /FERTILISER AVAILABILITY /TRADE Update from NI Grain Trade Association (NIGTA): - It is important that farmers don’t attempt to stockpile or panic - just buy what you need on a weekly basis – there should be enough to go round. Weakness of sterling and a combination of logistical issues have pushed up feed material prices in recent days. However farmers need to beware of panic reactions to these movements. The dramatic fall in the pound against both the US dollar and the euro has impacted on both grain and protein prices and some compounders are indicating that ration prices will go up at the beginning of April.
DAERA SERVICES
All public facing direct services offered by DAERA Direct Offices have now stopped. All customers must now conduct their business through DAERA Online services, which can be accessed from the DAERA Website home page or, if appropriate, via the Cattle Registration Telephony line (0300 200 7855). Documents can still be delivered to a DAREA Direct office and left in a designated post box at the entrance to the building. To ensure protection of the food supply chain, current certification arrangements will continue to apply until further notice. Digital Assistance with applications to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) or the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) can be accessed through the SAF Advisory Service on 0300 200 7848. All other appointments and general queries can be made directly with the local DAERA Direct office on 0300 200 7840
BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME / SINGLE APPLICATION / EFS Will the deadline for claiming area payments be extended?
There is currently no change to the deadline for submission of your Single Application Form for claiming Basic Payments and Environmental Farming Scheme payments. Please ensure that this is submitted by the 15 May 2020 deadline. If you use an agent to complete your form, please note that most agents are no longer conducting face-to-face appointments therefore you should contact them in advance and as early as possible to ensure your form is competed on time. DAERA information and assistance Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, DAERA area-based schemes staff are unable to take telephone calls at this time. DAERA will be updating their website regularly with the latest news about the impact to our services and alternative arrangements that will be put in place, including for the 2020 Single Application and Map Service. Click here If your query is urgent you can email us at areabasedschemes@daera-ni.gov.uk quoting your business ID and contact details and DAERA will get back to you as soon as possible
3 Crop Rule - Will it apply for 2020?
DAERA have responded positively to the UFU call to grant a derogation on the 3 crop rule for 2020. DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA has announced his intention to bring forward a derogation from the Crop Diversification requirements for 2020 scheme year following extremely high levels of rainfall particularly over the December to February period with record amounts being recorded for the month of February.
Following an emergency meeting of the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) Industry Board all face to face farm inspections have been deferred due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This policy came into effect from Wednesday 18th March at 5pm. FQAS continues to operate and participants’ assured status will continue to be certified during the period of inspection deferral. Members whose renewals fall due will be invited to pay the annual renewal fee in order to continue participation in the scheme. Members will be advised to pay online during this period. More detail can be found on the LMC Website
All marts have now closed for a period of 2 weeks starting from 23/3/2020. This position will then be reviewed. DAERA are supportive of Marts as their continued operation as an essential part of the food supply chain but it is up to industry to self-police and implement a robust operational protocol
Please find DAERA advice at this link
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/impact-covid-19-day-day-farming
