Farmers and people in rural communities are being called on to sign up to a new database to offer help to fellow farmers who fall ill with the coronavirus.

People on the register would be called on if farmers in their area fell ill and needed someone to fill in on their farm while they recovered.

“We are encouraging farmers, rural dwellers and students with capacity and skills to help out with farm tasks such as milking, calf rearing, grassland management, silage and meal feeding and general farm duties, to contact Teagasc advisory and register on a locally held database,” Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle said.

“With their consent, their details would be shared with farm families via the Farm Relief Services (FRS) in the event of a farmer becoming ill with COVID-19.”

Database

The database has been developed by Teagasc, FRS, the IFA and the ICMSA and interested parties can call their local Teagasc office to register.

ICMSA president Pat McCormack said that establishing a labour register was “pragmatic and prudent”, as it was inevitable that some farmers would get sick.

IFA deputy president Brian Rushe said the initiative was important and encouraged farmers to fill in the IFA plan B form to ensure that if someone did have to take up the running of their farm they would have a full picture of the operation.

Teagasc offices

If you are able to offer your services, you can get in touch with your local Teagasc office.

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