Tuesday, 24 March 2020 08:31

COVID-19: Ag’s time to shine — Milne

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Federated Farmers president Katie Milne. Federated Farmers president Katie Milne.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says it's agriculture’s time to shine by stepping up now “when the country needs us more than ever”.

As the country moves towards the highest alert level in the fight against coronavirus, Milne says the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made sure that agriculture is “all in” as essential services.

Now the farming sector has to step up and function under strict distancing policies on farm “so we are safe while we continue producing food”, she adds.

“As we are in a biological system where the seasons don’t wait things need to keep happening in line with seasonal requirements,” she told Rural News.

She warns these are strict times and only “work” can be done.

“No gallivanting off socially - we are expected to observe lockdown rules after work just like the rest of our communities. 

“None of us has the right to flaunt this as it could put the health of others at risk.”

Milne says a lot of work still needs to be done to iron out finer details with Ministry of Primary Industries around the current situation.

“Everyone is working well together on this to get it right.”

More like this

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter