Coronavirus: Updates and advice

The NFU's Specialist Advice Team is monitoring the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. This Q&A is updated as and when new information and guidance is released.

This page from the NFU's Specialist Advice Team looks at the extended Coronavirus Job Support Scheme (CJRS), what it is and who is eligible for it. See how these changes may help your business.

The NFU's specialist advice team's Q&A has information on testing for COVID-19 in the workplace and the implications this may have for employers.

The government's workplace testing programme as been expanded to offer rapid home testing for businesses that cannot offer on-site testing and for seasonal workers.

The NFU is reminding members of the measures they can take to ensure visitors to the countryside can do so in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with the Countryside Code. Get information and resources here.

As part of its response to COVID-19 and the business financial support package, the government has made different types of grant funding available to businesses. Find out more.

The government has issued guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out what you need to know.

Find information on free COVID-19 workplace testing here

Find out about the latest financial measures introduced by the UK government in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The NFU's economics team provides a useful reminder of the things to be aware of if you're utilising COVID-19 support loans such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. See what guidance is available.

Updated 8 December: Certification bodies, UKAS, Defra and UK farm assurance schemes are working to ensure the UK's food and traceability systems remain robust through the COVID-19 pandemic. Get a summary of the current position.

Hear from Defra SoS George Eustice as he pays tribute to British farmers and commits to making sure all those key workers across the food and farming sector feel safe during the pandemic.

The NFU has responded to a consultation by the water regulator Ofwat which is reviewing retail the level of market protection in place for business customers during ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

Following recent changes to lockdown restrictions, the NFU has been seeking further clarity from Defra over restrictions to off-farm sales of Christmas trees. Read the latest information here.

See where the NFU has achieved media coverage on the impact of coronavirus on food and farming, including dairy, livestock, access to labour and countryside access.

HSE spot checks and inspections to assess COVID-19 risk management are continuing. As third party providers are being used by the HSE, here's how you can verify that visits are genuine.

The NFU has been seeking clarity from government as to the range of different business types that are required to close during the month-long lockdown that came into force across England on 5 November. Read the response we received from Defra here.

After intensive lobbying from the NFU, the government has confirmed that garden centres will be able to remain open during the month-long national lockdown, due to begin on Thursday 5 November 2020. Get the details.

As the UK prepares for its second lockdown, we're reminding members to download our essential journey certificate for you and your employees to carry with you when travelling to / from work or between different sites.

The Job Support Scheme has been postponed. This page will be updated with the latest guidance when the scheme is reinstated.

Certain venues are required by law to collect details of visitors and QR codes are an easy way to help visitors register anonymously. Our Q&A explains what this means for farm businesses, how QR codes can help and how to obtain one for your venue.

Get advice on contacting Natural England and the Environment Agency, and rural concerns such policing and rural crime, energy supplies, broadband and mobile coverage, water and wastewater bills, planning and infrastructure developments.

New laws stipulate that people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. Here, the NFU's specialist advisers have set out what this means for employers.

COVID-19: NFU President Minette Batters is hopeful that members will benefit from the initiatives announced in the Chancellor's plan, and that further support for the self-employed will succeed in supporting cash flow during this difficult time.

NFU Livestock Board chairman Richard Findlay has issued a timely reminder for members to ensure they comply with COVID-19 rules when attending livestock markets and sales.

The NFU's Specialist Advice Team is monitoring the impact of coronavirus in the workplace. This Q&A will be updated as and when new information and guidance is released.

The NFU is working closely with various stakeholders to highlight potential issues on farm in the event of disruption at processing facilities. The following information has been provided to help you make appropriate contingency plans on farm.

Unclaimed grant funding under the Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grant schemes must be returned by local authorities to the Treasury by 31 August. Check if you're eligible and find out how to apply before time runs out.

Planning permissions due to run out by December 2020 can now be extended to 1 May 2021 in England. Read the latest update.

The second phase of grants for self-employed individuals adversely affected by COVID-19 is now open for applications. See who can claim and how much you may be entitled to.

On 30 July the government announced the availability of new grants for small and medium businesses to assist in their recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Here you will find more detail on the announcement.

This page will signpost you to key information and guidance on issues affecting you as a result of COVID-19. Topics covered include farm business concerns, government support for businesses, environment and rural concerns, wellbeing and supply chain.

Since March, the NFU has been raising member concerns with Defra and RPA RDPE teams as a result of the COVID 19 situation. This work has been to help current RDPE Socio-economic schemes operate, the key issues as a reminder are as follows.

The NFU sought views from members to inform its response to the AWC call for evidence on current and future impacts on animal welfare as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. NFU members - download it here.

NFU horticulture and potatoes chairman Ali Capper looks at the recent COVID-19 farm outbreaks, and some practical steps for minimising the risks of outbreaks on your own farm or packhouse.

Inspectors will carry out spot checks to see how well businesses are complying. Find out more.

What counts as a COVID-19 outbreak? When does an outbreak need to be reported? Find out what you need to know about reporting cases to Public Health England.

As the season progresses, potatoes may no longer be suitable for human consumption and stores may be in need of emptying. The potato portal now accommodates non-human consumption customers such as AD plant operators. Get the details in our briefing.

A new permitted development right has been brought into law and came into force at the end of August. This is how it works.

It's Farm Safety Week 2020 and one of this year's key safety themes is coping with the effects of COVID-19.

The Food and Drink Sector Council has launched its COVID-19 Recovery Plan, outlining six key areas that will be central to restart all sectors of the food industry, protect food industry employees and serve the changing needs of the public.

COVID-19: Advice for members in England and Wales on what to consider and what to do if you have an outbreak of coronavirus on your farm premises.

Do you have any coronavirus-related queries or issues? Complete the form on this page to contact the NFU and register your concerns.

As lockdown eases, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Chairman, Ali Capper, looks at challenges including reopening markets, access to labour, business costs, and quarantine rules.

The government has launched a plan for agriculture, food and drink industry to help support businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Learn more from NFU EU exit and international trade adviser Lucia Zitti.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Matt Culley explains how the COVID-19 pandemic could affect harvest preparations and draws on his own experience for ways around the disruption.

A new resource has been launched to help small farming businesses improve their digital skills during Covid-19

A brief summary of the activity on behalf of members from the NFU's BPS team. Various work streams are ongoing to ensure that BPS and other schemes run as smoothly as possible at this challenging time. Find out more.

Get the latest information on how the coronavirus outbreak is impacting the poultry sector from the NFU's policy and commodity advisers. This page will be updated as and when information is available.

As lockdown continues and with farmers now facing added pressure from dry weather spells, NFU livestock board chairman Richard Findlay gives an update on the beef and lamb sectors.

NFU Sugar board chairman Michael Sly writes a message to the UK's sugar beet growers about NFU Sugar's work to keep the homegrown industry operating during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here you'll find information related to the day-to-day running of your business such as accessing labour, BPS and environmental schemes, driving and vehicle regulations, farm events, training and audits, farm inspections and much more.

"We are seeking to understand the apparent switch from the scheme's eligibility based upon loss of income, now to pence per litre milk price and how that might have a bearing on the number of farmers able to apply."

Find out whether you can apply and what the NFU is doing on this issue for members - time is running out so act now.

Find out what you need to do in line with new guidance issued by Red Tractor on calibrating moisture meters, following the cancellation of clinics due to coronavirus.

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper provides an update on the NFU's work to support the horticulture sector through coronavirus challenges and the recent hot, dry weather.

With effect from 1 June, water retailers can resume debt recovery processes against farms and businesses which have not been affected by COVID-19.

The online survey covers growers across the ornamental horticulture sector, from bedding plants to cut flowers, bulbs to hardy nursery stock, to assess the impacts of COVID-19. NFU members: Log in to take the survey now.

Our online questionnaire will help you navigate through the various COVID-19 business support measures that have been made available by the government. Use our interactive tool today.

Updated 1 June: The NFU continues to lobby for appropriate mitigations against the impacts on the horticulture and potatoes sector from COVID-19.

We're collecting evidence on the business impact that has occurred to chipping and processing growers - complete our online survey now.

NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes outlines the NFU's involvement in the design of the government's hardship scheme for those farmers worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Watch out for fraudsters who are using the COVID-19 crisis to set up scams. Find information about currents scams and tips on cyber security, plus how to protect yourself from fraud.

Updated 13 May: The situation relating to coronavirus is continuously changing which is expected to bring a new set of challenges to the arable sector. This page will be updated as and when information is available.

Complete this form to receive your free NFU gatepost signs.

Impacts of COVID-19 continue to contribute to the increased demand for eggs in the retail sector. The NFU poultry board is working on a suite of potential solutions. Find out the details in this briefing for NFU members,

British Wool has issued a statement regarding the impact of COVID-19 on producer payments. To read the statement and what it means for industry click here.

We've put together a reminder for members on the Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme and Growth Programme in relation to the challenges of COVID-19.

With the confirmed reopening of garden centres, NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Adviser Emily Roads takes a look at how the NFU secured this policy change, and the action being taken to secure financial support for growers.

Hear from NFU President Minette Batters in response to news that garden centres will reopen on Wednesday 13 May.

Retailers have responded to the NFU's open letter highlighting the actions they have taken in order to back the British ornamental sector through the coronavirus pandemic.

The NFU wants to better understand disruption to the supply of face masks and other PPE needed for normal day to day operations. Take our online survey now.

The NFU's new food service and procurement adviser Bethan Williams updates on the work of the team and provides her insight on how food service will remain critical to farm businesses over the coming months.

NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes provides an update on how the coronavirus is impacting the dairy sector and how the NFU is working to support its members during the crisis

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper and HTA chairman James Barnes have written an open letter to growers explaining how they have been working together for the sector.

NFU members who have been impacted by changes made by Freshways can now watch a member-exclusive video from NFU dairy and legal experts.

Hear from NFU President Minette Batters and NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes on the government's announcement.

A new joint-funded campaign is set to highlight the role fresh milk and dairy plays during the current coronavirus crisis. Find out more about the campaign and hear from NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes.

Minette Batters has given evidence to government on how food production sectors and labour supply had been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Updated 6 May. With the increase in people spending more time at home due to COVID-19, fly-tipping has become a serious issue in rural areas. Click here to stay up to date with the NFU's fly-tipping guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NFU combinable crops board chairman Matt Culley provides an update on how the coronavirus is impacting the arable sector and how the NFU is working to support its members.

NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper gives an update on seasonal workers, ornamentals, potatoes, hops and cider apples in her latest monthly update.

NFU poultry board chairman Thomas Wornham gives an update on the situation facing the sector and the NFU's work with retailers.

With the country now well into lockdown, NFU livestock board chairman Richard Findlay gives an update on the situation facing the sector and the NFU's work to support and promote British beef and lamb to the public.

COVID-19: Information on different payment methods and the support available from banks for farm businesses.

Updated 5 May: The NFU dairy team has gathered commonly asked questions surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 situation and provided a Q&A briefing for up-to-date guidance and support specifically for the sector.

COVID-19: Within England and Wales a temporary amendment to the TB testing instructions has been put in place by the APHA retrospectively from 23 March 2020, until further notice.

The Environment Agency has released a statement on its regulatory approach to abstraction returns, irrigation inspections and abstraction charges resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. Get the details.

COVID-19: It's times like these that demonstrate how crucial it is to have a reliable domestic food chain, and Red Tractor needs to play its part on key issues like food safety and traceability.

NFU President Minette Batters has recorded a message for NFU members pledging support to members during these challenging times. Listen to the message here.

Updated 1 May: With much of the country working from home and most industry events cancelled, BASIS has taken the decision to relax its CPD requirements for Professional Register members.

Get key information on the government's testing programme, which now includes categories of workers whose jobs are essential to the UK's COVID-19 response, including those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery.

NFU lobbying calls for greater support for the sector and for government to prioritise the reopening of garden centres as part of the phased exit from lockdown.

Find out about shortages of personal protective equipment, requirements under health and safety legislation and what to do if stocks are running low in this briefing from NFU farm safety and transport adviser Tom Price.

NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts, along with key NFU advisers, hosted the second NFU COVID-19 banking roundtable this week. With representatives from the major banks in attendance, hear from Stuart on what was discussed.

The NFU's policy and commodity advisers are working to provide up to date advice on the issues impacting the livestock sector as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes reflects on the past two weeks and COVID-19's impact on the sector, from the NFU's lobbying work to winning the hearts and minds of the public.

Updated 24 April: The ornamental sector is being significantly hit by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out how the NFU is working with industry to support the sector through this difficult period.

Updated 24 April: With global lockdowns and travel restrictions, accessing workers is extremely limited. This article looks at what the industry is doing to mitigate the issue, and what else needs to be done.

Updated 23 April: This article outlines guidance for farmers who find themselves in a situation where milk collections are disrupted and they need to store, dispose of, or spread waste milk to land as a result of outcomes caused by COVID-19.