Coronavirus: Updates and advice

Updated 27 March: The NFU's policy and commodity advisers are working to provide up to date advice on the issues impacting members as a result of the coronavius outbreak. This page will be updated as and when information is available.

The NFU is working to provide clarity for members on what the coronavirus outbreak and its impacts will mean for farm businesses. You'll find regular updates of work we are doing on members' behalf here.

This page from the NFU's Specialist Advice Team looks at new guidance from the government on the new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

FAQs: Does my business need to close? Which businesses can stay open? Updated guidance in line with government legislation.

The NFU is providing an information gathering service on behalf of the agricultural and horticultural industries across the UK to assist the government.

The NFU dairy team have 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.

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.

Our Head of Food and Farming Philip Hambling writes how the NFU is responding to the coronavirus crisis, particularly the disruption it has caused in the food service market, and how we're ensuring farmers are continuing to keep the nation fed.

The NFU has reiterated that British farmers are 'continuing to work around the clock' to produce food for the nation during the coronavirus.

A briefing to cover a range of issues concerning the potential impacts for farmers and growers of COVID-19 on plant protection products (PPPs) and plant health.

Updated 27 March: The NFU's animal health and welfare team has set out the key issues affecting animal health and welfare as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19. Get the details.

With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, teams from across the NFU are feeding in regular updates to NFUonline. On this page, we set out some FAQs and direct you to where you can find the answers.

UPDATED: The NFU's legal affairs team has produced a briefing for members on the coronavirus and the potential implications for supply contracts. Log in to read.

With schools now closed to the majority of children due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the NFU is reminding farmers about the best ways to keep their children safe at home on the farm.

Planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the COVID-19 outbreak, this will require new temporary permitted development rights to be introduced.

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

National crops board chairman Matt Culley has a message for members about the NFU's work to help farmers as they continue to provide essential foods for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NFU poultry board chairman Thomas Wornham writes about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the poultry sector and the work of the NFU to keep supply chains moving.

The NFU's horticulture and potatoes team is working hard to do everything it can to help as the impacts of COVID-19 are felt. Hear from horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper.

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

The NFU has written to institutional landlords urging them to show flexibility and understanding with regard to rent in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

With the impacts of COVID-19 being felt across the livestock sector, national livestock board chairman Richard Findlay has a message for members about what the NFU is doing to help.

The NFU's dairy team is working across the supply chain to do everything it can to help as the COVID-19 starts to bite. Hear from national dairy board chairman Michael Oakes.

The NFU's food chain team provides a brief summary on the current situation. This page will be regularly updated as the situation changes.

Certification bodies, UKAS, Defra and UK farm assurance schemes are working to ensure our industry upholds its credibility and reputation while ensuring our food systems and traceability systems remain robust. Get a summary of the current position.

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.

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.

UPDATE 26 March: The concerns around the potential impacts of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak are widespread. Here are the key priorities for the horticulture and potatoes sector.

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.

Due to circumstances related to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), LEAF has postponed this year's Open Farm Sunday event to Sunday 20 September. Find out more.

Due to the current developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak in England, the NFU has decided to postpone all planned BPS meetings until further notice, and is exploring alternative options to help members with BPS 2020 queries.

The NFU has welcomed an announcement by Morrisons to move to immediate payments for its smaller suppliers to help them during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.