COVID-19 Hub
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The delivery of essential services to farmers, fishermen and the food and forestry sectors has been prioritised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine throughout the course of the pandemic; including services such as export certification, scheme payments, and protocols to allow mart services to continue on a limited and controlled basis.
The Department has a range of on-line facilities and can provide information to clients over the phone or by email. Public offices are closed for the present. There is a new information line to assist farmers with their queries in relation to current Covid-19 restrictions in place. The number is 076 1064468 and will be open from 9.30am to 12.30 pm and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will continue to monitor the situation and is following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health and the HSE in relation to COVID-19. We would remind stakeholders that they should continue to follow the advice being given by the HSE. In particular: wash your hands regularly; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough and sneeze; keep a social distance etc. Please keep up-to-date with latest advice and information.
As always, farmers should remember to observe basic biosecurity protocols and safety rules when working on the farm.
The delivery of essential services to farmers, fishermen and the food and forestry sectors is being prioritised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine throughout the course of the pandemic. Farming, fisheries, forestry, food and beverage production, and ancillary services, have been designated as essential services in the context of the current public health emergency.
Necessary steps have been taken to ensure:
Farmers and fishermen, along with other workers who are required to self-isolate, or are diagnosed with Covid-19, may be eligible for social welfare support. See here for more information .
Keeping food and other processing facilities operational has been a priority. This keeps the supply chain moving, ensures that farmers and fishers have an outlet for their produce, and maintains economic activity in the rural economy;
Following a campaign by Member States, spear-headed by Ireland, the European Commission introduced a scheme of aids to private storage under the CAP for certain dairy products, and certain beef and sheepmeat cuts.
Many of the horizontal supports available to individuals/businesses are available to the agri-food sector, including:
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