Statement by DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA - NI Executive daily Covid-19 briefing 27 March 2020

This is a moment of great worry and concern for all of us in Northern Ireland. The actions taken this week by the Prime Minister and by our Executive are unprecedented. Not since the Second World War has our nation been under such attack.

Covid-19 Executive Update

“This is a moment of great worry and concern for all of us in Northern Ireland. The actions taken this week by the Prime Minister and by our Executive are unprecedented. Not since the Second World War has our nation been under such attack.

“However this time, it is an invisible enemy, but its effects are clear for all to see.

“We all have a part to play to combat it and Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector is no different.

“Health, along with the availability of food, have been the critical issues talked about in households and over dinner tables across Northern Ireland, and are a strategic priority for our government.

“Those working in the food supply chain are an essential part of the frontline-fight against COVID-19. Their role cannot be underestimated.

“They are helping to sustain, nourish and energise our nurses, doctors and emergency workers. It is the food they farm, process and get onto the shelves that will give us the reserves we need to push on, even in our hardest moments.

“Those employed in farming, in fisheries, on the processing line, in distribution and in retail have worked quietly and diligently in the background to keep putting high-quality food on our tables. Every part of the food chain is critical, from packaging, engineering, vets and cleaners.

“There is no doubt that agri-food workers are part of our essential workforce and they take their role in this crisis extremely seriously - working day in and day out, to ensure the food supply chain keeps moving and working. And it is working, it’s working well, but it’s also working very hard.

“Consumer buying behaviour is putting added pressure on farmers, processors, distributors and retailers. Let me be clear, there is plenty of food for us all – but only if we all buy responsibly.

“Whilst we rightly acknowledge those in the front-line in health and social care, for the heroes that they are, I want to say to those working in our agri-food sector and I’m sure I speak for us all when I say, I am incredibly grateful for the work you are doing. I want to thank you and say publicly how proud I am of you all.

“I know you have the same worries as everyone else – it’s a time of great turbulence and uncertainty. But make no mistake, we cannot win this battle against COVID-19 without you. You are a critical part of the government’s response plan and I implore you to continue to show the same determination and resilience as you have throughout the many other crisis you’ve faced.

“I will continue to do everything in my power to help you all – I am on your side.

“To your employers – you understand more than anyone, how important your staff are, and how important they are to the food supply chain. I am thankful for the steps you have taken so far and I welcome the protocols being brought forward by industry to give greater assurances and protection to our employees. We will assist you and stand with you as you take the further, necessary steps to safeguard your employees, without them we can do nothing.

“None of us should look back at this time and wonder if we could have done more, could have acted faster, could have reduced the spread further.  In my Department, we continue to provide essential services to our stakeholders; safeguarding animal welfare, supporting rural life, protecting the environment and ensuring we have clean drinking water, and making payments.

“We have made our services available to help with the crisis; we’ve offered the Health Service the use of ABFI laboratories for testing; we’ve provided as many ventilators as we can and an agreement has been reached for the Northern Trust to use the accommodation at Greenmount Campus and further work is ongoing around using Enniskillen Campus in a similar way. We will continue to scope how else we can join up with other Departments – we are all in this together.

“I’m also doing my part to help the Fight Back. I’ve stopped all routine farm inspections in a bid to reduce contact between our staff and our farmers and relieve some of the pressure on the farming sector.  For now, I’ve shut down public access to all forests, country parks and nature reserves. I’ve stopped all face-to-face appointments at DAERA Direct Offices and extended our telephony service to help customers get all the help they need. I’ve cancelled all face-to-face classes at the three CAFRE campuses and we’ve linked up with UFU to offer farmers advice on how to keep the farm going if they become ill.

“I will continue to be part of the response effort for COVID-19 and I know that my Department will have an important role to play in our recovery, after life returns to what it once was.

“A final note to those in rural communities. I know isolation is felt a little more sharply for those in the rural sector, who already feel at a distance. I know you are afraid, but you are not alone. Social distancing doesn’t mean social separation - we are more connected to each other now, than at any other point in history. I urge you to virtually reach out, ask for help, connect with friends and contact rural support networks, if you need to.

“These are not normal times. This is exceptional and our response must also be exceptional.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Health advice and information on government services is available at: www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus and www.nidirect.gov.uk/coronavirus

2. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.

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