Friday, 08 May 2020 09:25

COVID-19: Hort sector’s impressive response

Written by  Peter Burke
Hort NZ chair Barry O’Neill says the sector has collectively and positively. Hort NZ chair Barry O’Neill says the sector has collectively and positively.

HortNZ chair Barry O’Neill is impressed with the way the horticulture sector has worked collectively and positively on all the issues it has faced.

He says, in particular, the industry has done a first-rate job in responding to protect the health and safety of staff during the crisis. O’Neill says employers have responded very professionally in making the health and safety of their staff the number one priority and have instituted policies and added special barriers inside packing sheds to ensure social distancing requirements are met.

“In some of the big packhouses that has resulted in lower throughput and them having to pack much slower because fewer people could be employed to meet social distancing requirements,” he told Rural News

“Over the last couple of weeks, we have been working with MPI with most packing sheds have installed perspex screens, which enables people to work closer together. This, in turn, has allowed the packhouses to employ more people and – in most cases – throughput in these places is almost back to normal. Social distancing has also impacted on how much fruit can be picked in orchards,” he says.

One issue that has yet to be fully resolved in the sector is that of workers who come each year from the Pacific Islands to work on orchards and commercial growing operations under the RSE (recognised seasonal employee scheme).

O’Neill says a number of issues have arisen in respect to these workers as a result of COVID-19. 

He says the RSE workers are an important part of NZ horticulture and hopes they will continue to be in the future. 

But with travel bans in place, those workers who are in NZ cannot get home and those back in their own countries and were hoping to come to NZ soon cannot travel either.

“Obviously, it needs to be recognised that every RSE worker has a family and that family has been impacted,” he explains.

“The future of RSE workers is one we have to consider and find a sustainable way the scheme can operate,” he says.

Labour shortages have long been a problem for the horticulture sector, but since COVID-19 arrived on our shore many out-of-work Kiwis have found jobs in the sector. O’Neill says the number one priority of the sector is hiring unemployed New Zealanders.

More like this

Covid's urban/rural divide

According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.

Covid inquiry to visit Northland

Better understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Northland, and the role communities played in the pandemic response, will be the focus of a visit from the Covid-19 Inquiry, says inquiry chair Professor Tony Blakely.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Food security crucial

Hort NZ chair Barry O'Neil says food supply and security is fundamental to New Zealand's future.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

National

Bumper cherry exports in 2024

New Zealand cherry producer Southern Fruits International expects to send up to 340 tonnes of luxury cherries to the global…

Machinery & Products

Pollution into fertiliser

While the new government is sure to “tinker” with the previous administration’s emissions policy, a recent visit to New Zealand…

Smart money backs smart machine

Marlborough-based start-up SmartMachine claims its new machine is one of the most significant operational step changes for viticulture since the…

Robo packer hits a billion

New Zealand inventor and manufacturer Robotics Plus Limited’s fruit packing robot has hit a major milestone of one billion pieces…

Crop care business expands

Five years ago, agricultural machinery specialist Lemken acquired the Dutch company Steketee B.V and expanded its crop care product portfolio…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Too late?

OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons moves by the new government to try and breathe new life into the country's ailing…

Going rogue!

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number…

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter