NFU crops board chairman Matt Culley says the union is seeing coronavirus starting to cause staffing issues. At the moment these are relatively few, but as losing the availability of just one or two workers can have a big impact at this time of year and going into the summer, he says NFU is asking members to take precautions to mitigate the risk.
Michael Sly, chairman of NFU sugar says: "We have made the Government aware that even with the necessary chemicals available on farm, a more widespread coronavirus infection might mean sprayer operators are ill or self-isolating.
"This could become an issue because of the licensing requirements for sprayer operators and the absolute need for timely application of chemicals to manage aphid infestation/virus yellows infection."
NFU is encouraging members to start thinking about contingency planning regarding the availability of sprayer operators, including the possibility of cooperating with neighbouring farms.
Senior regulatory affairs adviser, at the NFU plant health unit, Dr Chris Hartfield says the NFU is raising the issues of reduced sprayer operator availability with Defra, CRD and agronomists in the UK. "We are working with regulators and the industry to assess what temporary solutions may be possible to ease pressure in this area, while ensuring operator, food and environmental safety.
"We can draw parallels with the NHS. Could we bring people who have recently retired from being a sprayer operator back into service? Also people whose licence has recently expired but have very significant experience."
Areas such as flexibility concerning sprayer MoTs and in how CPD is undertaken are also under discussion, says Dr Hartfield.
Farmer case study: Ed Dale, farm manager Stetchworth Farms, near Newmarket
In an effort to reduce coronavirus risk, employees at Stetchworth Farms have received a statement outlining social distancing, the importance of personal hygiene and use of wipes, says farm manager Ed Dale.
"We are quite fortunate in having two sprayers and two sprayer operators and myself if we end up with a guy down. The biggest risk is the guys going home. Some have partners who are teachers and still going in to work. When the guys are at work, they are in effect self-isolated in their cab.
"We are making an effort not to swap people between vehicles.
"We've been going very hard the last two weeks to get on top of things so if we lose someone we are as on top of things as we can be. We are fortunate the weather has been with us and everyone is busy in the tractor on their own."
Staff are wiping cab surfaces and undertaking regular hand washing in an effort to keep coronavirus at bay, adds Mr Dale.
