Marts: 100 person limit in place
Marts are putting a limit on the number of people that can attend sales ringside, as concerns over the coronavirus outbreak grow.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has announced that mart sales should be limited to 100 people.
“The number of people attending individual mart ringsides at any one time will be limited to 100, which will be managed on a strict rotation system, ie using admission cards which will be rotated among patrons at the entrance/exit to the mart ringside or other such monitoring methods as devised by the mart,” ICOS said.
Read the full story here.
MMI marts open
Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) said that its marts would remain open for Thursday and Friday.
"We have asked all people that have no business in the mart to please stay away from them," MMI chair Eimear McGuinness said.
We’re going to stay open until we’re told otherwise.
"If they do decide to shut marts, we want to talk to the Department of Agriculture about ways to trade stock, but that’s down the line.
"Everyone is taking precautions and following HSE guidelines."
Gortatlea Mart in Kerry has announced that it will be business as usual on Friday.
The Government has recommended cancelling all indoor events with over 100 people and all outdoor events with over 500 people.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has advised vets to take necessary precautions and follow HSE advice but at the current moment "there is no evidence to date to suggest that the virus can be transmitted to animals from humans."
President of the VCI said that they would continue to review the situation but that it was essentially "business as usual".
Other vets have put in measures, such as Quinn's in Mohill who have asked farmers to ring in advance with their order to minimise their time on the premises or limiting their small animal practice services.
Dairy co-ops: contingency plans in place
Ireland’s dairy industry is continuing to monitor the situation but said its health protocols and contingency plans remain in place for collecting milk off farms and continuing processing operations in the weeks and months ahead.
Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) said it has requested all non-essential inspections at dairy processing sites such as EPA visits be suspended. The major concern in the industry is that milk continues to be collected off farms and processed as it is a perishable product.
Worst case scenario
In case of a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus among staff, the dairy industry has said it is looking at potential contingency options in worst-case scenarios such as bringing back retired staff to help run milk plants or using emergency public services to collect milk off farms.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that agri supply chains have been given the highest priority at central government and are deemed to be “state critical”.
Glanbia and Dairygold have introduced precautionary measures for their staff and suppliers.
Agricultural colleges to close
Teagasc have decided to close all of their agricultural colleges.
“Teagasc is making contingency arrangements to deal with closures and will be in direct contact with learners in this regard,” a spokesperson said.
It has also advised that all of its indoor events with over 100 people and outdoor events with over 500 people will be postponed.
Meat processing will continue to operate – Meat Industry Ireland
Meat processing plants will continue to operate, albeit with heightened protocols in place, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has said, following a meeting with the Department of Agriculture.
Officials discussed the contingency arrangements in the event of the spread of Covid-19 and the potential impact on processing sites.
“While the statement by An Taoiseach this morning signalled the implementation of enhanced controls nationally, it was clear that people can and should continue to go to work,” Joe Ryan, MII director said.
Read the full story here.
Department of Agriculture: LPIS meetings cancelled
The Department of Agriculture is cancelling all Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) meetings.
"Please note that due to Taoiseach’s statement on Covid-19, the Department’s planned LPIS meetings commencing this evening in Cavan are all cancelled," the Department said.
Farm organisations: meetings suspended
The IFA is suspending all meetings at branch, county and national level until 29 March.
“We support the measures and the agricultural community will play its part, as it always has, with others to keep the supply chain operating,” IFA president Tim Cullinan said.
Macra na Feirme is postponing any club meetings on Thursday 12 March and is advising clubs that more information will be sent out from head office later on Thursday.
The ICMSA has said that it is happy to oblige with the Government edict and reminded farmers that the organisation is just a “phone call away” if needed.
The ICSA also said it fully supported the Government’s decisions and said that in this national emergency farmers needed to support each other.
Farmers in the cattle and sheep sectors in particular are very vulnerable
“The farming population has an older demographic and we are acutely aware that the virus poses a bigger threat to older people and people with underlying health conditions,” ICSA president Edmond Phelan said.
“Farmers in the cattle and sheep sectors in particular are very vulnerable to any further economic disruption.
“We are also very concerned about the impact on mental health that could arise from any cashflow difficulties.”
Social welfare payments: new system for elderly
Although An Post says it will operate as usual, it has developed a new system for vulnerable citizens in receipt of social welfare payments.
If they so choose, elderly or immuno-compromised people can elect a close friend or relative to collect their pensions or social welfare payments. Read the full story here in Irish Country Living.
Read more
Farming braces for coronavirus
€90/suckler calf payment scheme details
Coronavirus: co-ops, marts and factory plans detailed
Marts: 100 person limit in place
Marts are putting a limit on the number of people that can attend sales ringside, as concerns over the coronavirus outbreak grow.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has announced that mart sales should be limited to 100 people.
“The number of people attending individual mart ringsides at any one time will be limited to 100, which will be managed on a strict rotation system, ie using admission cards which will be rotated among patrons at the entrance/exit to the mart ringside or other such monitoring methods as devised by the mart,” ICOS said.
Read the full story here.
MMI marts open
Mart Managers of Ireland (MMI) said that its marts would remain open for Thursday and Friday.
"We have asked all people that have no business in the mart to please stay away from them," MMI chair Eimear McGuinness said.
We’re going to stay open until we’re told otherwise.
"If they do decide to shut marts, we want to talk to the Department of Agriculture about ways to trade stock, but that’s down the line.
"Everyone is taking precautions and following HSE guidelines."
Gortatlea Mart in Kerry has announced that it will be business as usual on Friday.
The Government has recommended cancelling all indoor events with over 100 people and all outdoor events with over 500 people.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has advised vets to take necessary precautions and follow HSE advice but at the current moment "there is no evidence to date to suggest that the virus can be transmitted to animals from humans."
President of the VCI said that they would continue to review the situation but that it was essentially "business as usual".
Other vets have put in measures, such as Quinn's in Mohill who have asked farmers to ring in advance with their order to minimise their time on the premises or limiting their small animal practice services.
Dairy co-ops: contingency plans in place
Ireland’s dairy industry is continuing to monitor the situation but said its health protocols and contingency plans remain in place for collecting milk off farms and continuing processing operations in the weeks and months ahead.
Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) said it has requested all non-essential inspections at dairy processing sites such as EPA visits be suspended. The major concern in the industry is that milk continues to be collected off farms and processed as it is a perishable product.
Worst case scenario
In case of a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus among staff, the dairy industry has said it is looking at potential contingency options in worst-case scenarios such as bringing back retired staff to help run milk plants or using emergency public services to collect milk off farms.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that agri supply chains have been given the highest priority at central government and are deemed to be “state critical”.
Glanbia and Dairygold have introduced precautionary measures for their staff and suppliers.
Agricultural colleges to close
Teagasc have decided to close all of their agricultural colleges.
“Teagasc is making contingency arrangements to deal with closures and will be in direct contact with learners in this regard,” a spokesperson said.
It has also advised that all of its indoor events with over 100 people and outdoor events with over 500 people will be postponed.
Meat processing will continue to operate – Meat Industry Ireland
Meat processing plants will continue to operate, albeit with heightened protocols in place, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has said, following a meeting with the Department of Agriculture.
Officials discussed the contingency arrangements in the event of the spread of Covid-19 and the potential impact on processing sites.
“While the statement by An Taoiseach this morning signalled the implementation of enhanced controls nationally, it was clear that people can and should continue to go to work,” Joe Ryan, MII director said.
Read the full story here.
Department of Agriculture: LPIS meetings cancelled
The Department of Agriculture is cancelling all Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) meetings.
"Please note that due to Taoiseach’s statement on Covid-19, the Department’s planned LPIS meetings commencing this evening in Cavan are all cancelled," the Department said.
Farm organisations: meetings suspended
The IFA is suspending all meetings at branch, county and national level until 29 March.
“We support the measures and the agricultural community will play its part, as it always has, with others to keep the supply chain operating,” IFA president Tim Cullinan said.
Macra na Feirme is postponing any club meetings on Thursday 12 March and is advising clubs that more information will be sent out from head office later on Thursday.
The ICMSA has said that it is happy to oblige with the Government edict and reminded farmers that the organisation is just a “phone call away” if needed.
The ICSA also said it fully supported the Government’s decisions and said that in this national emergency farmers needed to support each other.
Farmers in the cattle and sheep sectors in particular are very vulnerable
“The farming population has an older demographic and we are acutely aware that the virus poses a bigger threat to older people and people with underlying health conditions,” ICSA president Edmond Phelan said.
“Farmers in the cattle and sheep sectors in particular are very vulnerable to any further economic disruption.
“We are also very concerned about the impact on mental health that could arise from any cashflow difficulties.”
Social welfare payments: new system for elderly
Although An Post says it will operate as usual, it has developed a new system for vulnerable citizens in receipt of social welfare payments.
If they so choose, elderly or immuno-compromised people can elect a close friend or relative to collect their pensions or social welfare payments. Read the full story here in Irish Country Living.
Read more
Farming braces for coronavirus
€90/suckler calf payment scheme details
Coronavirus: co-ops, marts and factory plans detailed
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