Bord Bia is to extend the certification period for farmers in the Quality Assurance scheme by a period of two months as a result of coronavirus, it has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal.

The move will reduce the need for on-farm inspections over this period, it said.

Under the beef and lamb QA scheme, each farm is visited at 18-month intervals by an independent auditor.

Flattening the curve

News of the extension comes following an address to the nation on Tuesday night by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who called on every person in Ireland to play their part in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

“We all need to take steps to reduce close human contact. That is how the virus is spread. Not just at public gatherings or public places but also in our own homes, places of leisure and work.”

More will be required in the coming weeks to reduce the spread of the virus, he said.

Unity

On Wednesday Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president Jerry Long echoed the Taoiseach's comments and said unity and co-operation between farmers and co-ops will be vital to industry and its people surviving the crisis facing them.

“Customers should order product from co-ops by phone, for delivery if possible, be as organised as possible, call less often to the store, collecting more product per visit, abide by staff guidance regarding distance between customers, use the disinfectant provided, be patient as everyone is doing their best to protect us all from this disease,” he said.

More to follow

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