Wednesday, 25 March 2020 13:26

COVID-19: New MPI register for safe practice 

Written by  Staff Reporters
MPI director-general Ray Smith. MPI director-general Ray Smith.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set up a register for safe practice in the sector, with registrations due this Friday.

The register comes as New Zealand moves to COVID-19 National Alert Level 4 tonight at midnight.

MPI director-general Ray Smith and Agriculture and Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor met 90 sector stakeholders by conference call yesterday.

Smith says it was an extremely constructive meeting.

“I know that everyone who took part wants to do their best for New Zealand as we meet the COVID-19 challenge.”

Smith says MPI requires safety assurances from operators that their processes protect workers and the public by limiting interactions between staff and reducing the potential spread of COVID-19.

"The Government's declaration of essential services approves those operating in the primary sector, but we just need to verify that operators are following safe practices.

“We are asking 11 critical questions about how you intend to stop any spread of COVID-19,” says Smith.

There are a couple of simple questions operators can ask themselves before registering:

1. Do you have five or fewer people (including the owner) working at each business site?

2. Can you achieve social distancing measures between staff in your workplace, including travelling, to and from work?

If you answer 'yes' to both of those questions, then you do not need to fill in the form.

• If you answer 'no' to either of these questions, you must fill in the form.

• If in doubt, fill in the form. 

“Production chains should work to achieve separation between staff and adopt mitigation measures, such as protective gear and equipment, where possible,” says Smith.

Smith says MPI will do its best to advise and support the sector over the coming days and weeks.

“We are asking businesses to be registered by 5pm on Friday 27 March 2020. They should keep operating and are expected to already have health procedures in place.

“We’re all working together to ensure that our vital food production sectors can operate safely,” says Smith.

Find out about registration

More like this

Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages

The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.

East Coast Expo delivers two action-packed days of events

The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter