The UFU has produced a useful set of frequently asked questions to help keep members up to date on issues related to COVID-19.

The document is updated regularly and available on the UFU website (www.ufuni.org). It covers a range of issues from inspections through to services and support potentially available for farm families.

Over the last couple of weeks, the agri-food industry has generally been a step ahead of government, and sought to suspend the likes of farm assurance inspections and minimise visits by advisers and feed reps to farms.

We are now in a position where no-one should be coming on to a farm to meet a member of the farm family without it being strictly necessary, and by agreement of everyone involved.

No-one should be coming on to a farm to meet a member of the farm family without it being strictly necessary, and by agreement of everyone involved

But compared to many people, farmers are fortunate in that they can still get out of their home and continue with their normal activities while at the same time, maintaining a safe distance from others. But we are not in a position to be complacent. No farmer can afford to be sick at this busy time of the year, and in most families there is an older generation that are vulnerable to this virus.

Unfortunately, complacency among some farmers and cattle dealers was evident in a few marts last week, and was a major factor as to why they closed from Monday.

We all want to get through this with our families and our businesses intact. We need farm supply businesses, vets, feed mills, machinery parts suppliers, mechanics and food processors all to stay operational, so we must follow all the various guidelines around social distancing and do exactly what we are told.

Those on the front line in our health service deserve all our gratitude, but we should also recognise the people who continue to step out of their homes to service our industry.

Coming out the other side of this, everyone will have a much greater appreciation as to what is really important in sustaining all our lives.

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