Will the BPS application deadline be changed?
The Basic Payment Scheme application date will not be changed, the Department of Agriculture has said. Any delay in inspections or change to the application date could lead to delays in payments later in the year, and it is anxious to avoid this at all costs.
The European Commission has offered member states the option to extend the BPS application process for one month from 15 May to 15 June.
Italy was the first member state to request the extension.
Will farm inspections continue?
Yes, because delays in farm inspections could delay farm payments.
Will my farm payments be affected?
Ensuring that payments can continue is one of the Department’s critical priorities.
The Department has said that it is committed to payment processing and all matters that will continue to enable the business of farming to operate.
It has its own business continuity plan to maintain essential services, protect its staff but remains open for business.
Will the LPIS changes go ahead in Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Longford?
Yes, the Department will continue to update the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Public information meetings have been cancelled but farmers will be updated.
Will TB and BVD testing continue?
Yes, the Department has said that it is committed to continuing animal-related matters such as:
TB testing.Animal welfare inspections.Animal identification and passport issuing. BVD testing.Controls at livestock marts, and Animal export certification so that the business of farming will continue to operate. What about dairy and meat plant inspections?
For agribusinesses which depend on Departmental supervision, inspection, control and certification to operate, the Department has committed to providing the necessary services, for example in meat and milk plants, marts, breeding establishments, feed manufacturers and suppliers, egg suppliers, suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products and in our fisheries’ harbours.
Will Bord Bia Quality Assurance audits continue?
Bord Bia has announced that it is extending the certification period of farmers in the Quality Assurance scheme for a period of two months. The move will reduce the need for on-farm inspections over this period.
Will live exports continue?
The Department has said it will continue animal export certification.
Some marts, such as the GVM Group, have said they are postponing all sales except calf sales until 29 March.
Will regional veterinary labs be open?
Yes. The Department’s laboratories will be available for diagnostic services.
Will calf registration and issuing of blue cards continue?
Yes.
What is the incidence of COVID-19 in rural areas versus urban?
This figure is not available. Up to now, the HSE has only released information based on a broad geographic area, such as the south or west. This will change in the coming days as the HSE moves to giving county-by-county information.
If a lockdown happens, will agri merchants and co-ops stay open to buy feed, etc, for livestock?
All co-ops and merchants are putting plans in place to ensure that essential inputs can be supplied. They are urging farmers not to panic-buy, but to plan ahead and make orders so that deliveries can be made on time. Read more on page 16.
The Department of Agriculture has said it will continue to provide all necessary services to feed manufacturers, suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products.
Is milk going to be collected if the whole country is locked down?
Both the co-ops and Government are working daily on contingency plans and enhanced protocols to ensure that food supply continues and animal welfare is maintained in the face of the coronavirus spread.
Keeping food and other processing facilities operational, is one of the critical priorities for the Department.
Can co-ops continue to process milk with a skeleton staff?
Milk processors are organising staff, changing rotas, work practices and procedures to cope if and when their staff members are affected by the virus.
Is there any risk to food safety from coronavirus?
There are no food safety implications arising from COVID-19, and there is no evidence that the virus can be spread through food products.
If I get the virus, will it be safe for someone else to use my machinery or even go on to my farm?
Follow all the advice from the HSE on www.hse.ie
Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets.
To infect you, it has to get from an infected person’s nose or mouth into your eyes, nose or mouth.
This can be direct or indirect (on hands, objects or surfaces). Keep this in mind. It will help you remember all the things you need to do to protect yourself and others from the virus.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Do not share objects that touch your mouth, eg bottles or cups.
Handwashing and minimising contact between potentially infected people and healthy people are among the most important ways of preventing the spread of the virus. Remember, follow all advice on www.hse.ie
Is cold water sufficient for washing hands if using an anti-bacterial soap?
The HSE advice is to use warm water and soap. Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather.
Rub the top of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails. Do this for about 15 seconds.
Rinse your hands under running water. Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
Can I still go to the co-op or merchant?
Co-ops and merchants are still open but ICOS has advised farmers to 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 and use the disinfectant provided.
What else should I plan for?
Human health and safety should always come first in any farm plan. Keep the safety of children and older people in mind at all times during this time. Go to www.hsa.ie for all safety tips.
Will the BPS application deadline be changed?
The Basic Payment Scheme application date will not be changed, the Department of Agriculture has said. Any delay in inspections or change to the application date could lead to delays in payments later in the year, and it is anxious to avoid this at all costs.
The European Commission has offered member states the option to extend the BPS application process for one month from 15 May to 15 June.
Italy was the first member state to request the extension.
Will farm inspections continue?
Yes, because delays in farm inspections could delay farm payments.
Will my farm payments be affected?
Ensuring that payments can continue is one of the Department’s critical priorities.
The Department has said that it is committed to payment processing and all matters that will continue to enable the business of farming to operate.
It has its own business continuity plan to maintain essential services, protect its staff but remains open for business.
Will the LPIS changes go ahead in Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Longford?
Yes, the Department will continue to update the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Public information meetings have been cancelled but farmers will be updated.
Will TB and BVD testing continue?
Yes, the Department has said that it is committed to continuing animal-related matters such as:
TB testing.Animal welfare inspections.Animal identification and passport issuing. BVD testing.Controls at livestock marts, and Animal export certification so that the business of farming will continue to operate. What about dairy and meat plant inspections?
For agribusinesses which depend on Departmental supervision, inspection, control and certification to operate, the Department has committed to providing the necessary services, for example in meat and milk plants, marts, breeding establishments, feed manufacturers and suppliers, egg suppliers, suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products and in our fisheries’ harbours.
Will Bord Bia Quality Assurance audits continue?
Bord Bia has announced that it is extending the certification period of farmers in the Quality Assurance scheme for a period of two months. The move will reduce the need for on-farm inspections over this period.
Will live exports continue?
The Department has said it will continue animal export certification.
Some marts, such as the GVM Group, have said they are postponing all sales except calf sales until 29 March.
Will regional veterinary labs be open?
Yes. The Department’s laboratories will be available for diagnostic services.
Will calf registration and issuing of blue cards continue?
Yes.
What is the incidence of COVID-19 in rural areas versus urban?
This figure is not available. Up to now, the HSE has only released information based on a broad geographic area, such as the south or west. This will change in the coming days as the HSE moves to giving county-by-county information.
If a lockdown happens, will agri merchants and co-ops stay open to buy feed, etc, for livestock?
All co-ops and merchants are putting plans in place to ensure that essential inputs can be supplied. They are urging farmers not to panic-buy, but to plan ahead and make orders so that deliveries can be made on time. Read more on page 16.
The Department of Agriculture has said it will continue to provide all necessary services to feed manufacturers, suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products.
Is milk going to be collected if the whole country is locked down?
Both the co-ops and Government are working daily on contingency plans and enhanced protocols to ensure that food supply continues and animal welfare is maintained in the face of the coronavirus spread.
Keeping food and other processing facilities operational, is one of the critical priorities for the Department.
Can co-ops continue to process milk with a skeleton staff?
Milk processors are organising staff, changing rotas, work practices and procedures to cope if and when their staff members are affected by the virus.
Is there any risk to food safety from coronavirus?
There are no food safety implications arising from COVID-19, and there is no evidence that the virus can be spread through food products.
If I get the virus, will it be safe for someone else to use my machinery or even go on to my farm?
Follow all the advice from the HSE on www.hse.ie
Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets.
To infect you, it has to get from an infected person’s nose or mouth into your eyes, nose or mouth.
This can be direct or indirect (on hands, objects or surfaces). Keep this in mind. It will help you remember all the things you need to do to protect yourself and others from the virus.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Do not share objects that touch your mouth, eg bottles or cups.
Handwashing and minimising contact between potentially infected people and healthy people are among the most important ways of preventing the spread of the virus. Remember, follow all advice on www.hse.ie
Is cold water sufficient for washing hands if using an anti-bacterial soap?
The HSE advice is to use warm water and soap. Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather.
Rub the top of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails. Do this for about 15 seconds.
Rinse your hands under running water. Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
Can I still go to the co-op or merchant?
Co-ops and merchants are still open but ICOS has advised farmers to 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 and use the disinfectant provided.
What else should I plan for?
Human health and safety should always come first in any farm plan. Keep the safety of children and older people in mind at all times during this time. Go to www.hsa.ie for all safety tips.
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