IFA president Tim Cullinan has appealed to the farming community to be extra vigilant in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“The country finds itself in a very fragile situation, with public health officials expressing serious concern about the level of community transmission.

“I am asking everybody to limit their contacts and to do everything possible to reduce the threat of infection,” he said.

Cullinan said keeping the food chain going is essential.

“I would encourage all farmers to review their protocols for interacting with their service providers and to strengthen the controls if necessary.

“The entire sector was very successful last March in delivering a steady supply of food for supermarket shelves and we want to keep that going during this Level 5 period,” he added.

Each farmer should update any details that may have changed since they first completed it

The president also reminded farmers that the IFA had developed a Plan B document in the event that a farmer contracted COVID-19 and somebody had to take over the running of the farm at short notice.

“The Plan B document can be checked at www.ifa.ie. Each farmer should update any details that may have changed since they first completed it,” he said.

Cullinan alerted farmers to an initiative from FBD, supported by IFA and FRS, to financially assist farm customers affected by a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Upon diagnosis, and if a farmer is unable to work, a Farm Relief Service (FRS) voucher of €500 will be provided to assist in keeping farms operational.

Finally, the IFA president asked members to keep in touch with neighbours who may need assistance in the coming weeks.

“A quick phone call to check if anything is needed could be very important, and would be well received,” he said.

IFA national sheep committee chair Sean Dennehy said the IFA has again formally requested the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to provide all farmers in the Sheep Welfare Scheme with the opportunity to update their reference numbers.

It must be standardised to provide all farmers with the opportunity to have updated reference numbers established in a straightforward manner

The IFA has written to the Minister, setting out the importance of the scheme and the need for it to accurately reflect the level of activity on participant farms. Dennehy welcomed the rollover for the transition period and providing for new entrants to the sector.

“While acknowledging the willingness of the Minister to have reference numbers for the scheme reviewed, this process lacks clearly defined criteria. It must be standardised to provide all farmers with the opportunity to have updated reference numbers established in a straightforward manner,” he said.

The rigid adherence of the terms and conditions of the scheme to the reference numbers established in 2014 and 2015 has effectively reduced the level of support available to sheep farmers. Where numbers have reduced on participant farms or where farmers exited the scheme, this money has been lost to the sector.

The IFA wants all farmers in the scheme to be provided with the opportunity to have their reference numbers brought up to date

He said the constraints of the historic reference period has meant that progressive sheep farmers, who are the future of the sector, are penalised with low numbers of eligible sheep.

“The IFA wants all farmers in the scheme to be provided with the opportunity to have their reference numbers brought up to date to accurately reflect the level of activity on the farm in a straightforward process,” he added.

Dennehy said this is a critical amendment to a scheme that sheep farmers depend on to ensure the appropriate supports are provided to the progressive sheep farmers, who are vital in sustaining the future viability of the sector.