Loss of sales in the ornamental sector
With the closure of garden centres, most of the ornamental sector has effectively shut down leaving growers with valuable stock they cannot sell. A most ornamentals sales are concentred in spring and early summer, the coronavirus lockdown could not be at a worse time and the future viability of many businesses is under threat.
The NFU has been working with key industry stakeholders including the HTA and the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG) and has backed the HTA submission for an ornamental compensation package for written off stock. Discussions with Defra continue but the NFU is stressing the urgency of a decision so that businesses get the support they need before it’s too late.
Alongside this, the NFU is calling for garden centres to be included in the list of retailers that can remain open due to the important role they play in providing the materials that encourage outdoor activities at home. In order to secure this commitment from the government, garden centres would have to put in place robust social distancing measures within car parks and stores.
Read more about our work for ornamentals growers here.
Access to Labour
With international travel restrictions in place, businesses and labour providers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit the seasonal workers they need this season. Early fears that flights would be grounded have not materialised so EU recruitment is still taking place and there remains a good level of interest from workers wanting to come to the UK.
The NFU is working to ensure access to EU workers can continue but at the same time supporting members and labour providers in their UK recruitment activities. The NFU is part of an industry group which is developing a new portal, alongside Defra, to help connect UK workers with farms and labour providers.
The NFU is also talking to Defra about removing current barriers to recruiting through the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme, due to visa office closures across the continent.
Read more about our work on labour here.
Keeping workers safe during transport and on farm
Very few sectors will have the same labour requirements as horticulture and issues around the close proximity on which they live, travel and work. Existing government guidance does not fully reflect this situation and so the NFU has been working with Defra to ensure a specific farm worker guide is published, setting out good practice measures that businesses can take to deliver against social distancing requirements, or measures they can take when social distancing is not possible.
This guide, which is expected to be published in the coming days (and will be linked here once available) will also include advice on transporting workers to and from sites and on shopping trips. A number of workers have reported being pulled over by the police and threatened with fines for travelling in groups of more than 2. Recent reports suggest the police are now taking a more sensible approach to farm workers, but the guide will help provide the reassurance to farm businesses that group travel is still allowed when single occupancy travel isn’t an option.
Further guidance for employers on keeping workers safe is available here.
Accessible guidance for staff
As many growers employ seasonal staff from across the EU there are concerns that official guidance may not be accessible to staff due to language barriers.
The NFU has raised the need for translated official guidance with government. In the meantime there is some translated guidance available here.
Loss of sales in the potato sector
Coronavirus has rapidly introduced a huge amount of market disruption and uncertainty to the potato industry. Whilst some potato sectors have seen a huge increase demand usually only associated with Christmas, others have been severely impacted by the closure of McDonalds, fish and chip shops, and the wider food service industry.
While compensation schemes may be difficult to secure (see section on compensation below), the NFU is taking a multi-pronged approach which includes working with the National Federation of Fish Friers to offer support and guidance to fish & chip shops that give them the confidence to re-open. As with other food service outlets, fish & chip shops are allowed to remain open but around 90% are currently closed.
The NFU is also in discussion with AHDB about a new portal to link growers and buyers.
Read more about our work on potatoes here.
Loss of sales in the cider apple and hops sectors
With the closure of pubs and the cancellation of key events such as the Grand National, Euro 2020, Wimbledon etc, the demand for beers and ciders has fallen. The NFU is pulling together impact assessments and will be submitting it to Defra to call for financial support for the sector. More details will be provided here in due course.
Compensation for unpicked crops and contract support
Whether it be from concerns over a lack of labour to pick and pack crops, or due to the loss of sales due to market closures, many members are looking for compensation packages that can mitigate their losses. The NFU is building a number of impact assessments to demonstrate the financial implications and are sharing them with Defra. However, growers are advised to become familiar with the existing business support measures to see what they can access.
Read more:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Government support for businesses and other financial measures
Guidance on contract requirements from the NFU Legal team is also available by clicking here.
Cross sector issues
The NFU is also working hard on cross sector issues, such as: supply chain disruption for inputs (e.g. machinery, plants, seeds, fertiliser, PPPs, and containers for produce); changes in consumer demand due to stockpiling; farm assurance; access to emergency funds. For more information on these cross sector issues, please visit the coronavirus hub on NFUonline.