Impact of COVID-19 on Australian agriculture

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

• Media release: Australia’s food security not in question
• Media release: The States and Territories to implement National Cabinet workforce principles
• Media release: Agriculture jobs essential to Australia

Australian Capital Territory:

• General advice: The ACT has created a dedicated website with the latest information regarding healthcare, businesses and travel arrangements.

New South Wales:

• View current restrictions here.
• General advice: NSW Health has created a portal page detailing COVID-19 response measures and arrangements in NSW.
• Livestock producers: NSW Department of Primary Industries has also created a page with updates and FAQs covering the impact of the response on agriculture. Contact the Primary Industries Liaison Team direct at covidinfo@dpi.nsw.gov.au to ask about individual business or industry circumstances.

Northern Territory:

• General advice: The NT has created a dedicated website with advice for communities and businesses.
• Livestock producers: This includes specific advice for animal owners (including livestock owners) and small businesses.

Queensland:

• General advice: Queensland have created a resource page for all Queensland residents and visitors with key information about COVID-19 and Queensland’s response.
• Livestock producers: This includes specific information for industry and businesses.

South Australia:

• General advice: SA have launched a landing page for COVID-19 information. This includes specific information for businesses.
• Livestock producers: Primary Industries and Regions SA has a dedicated page for COVID-19 impacts on primary industries, including agriculture.
• Seasonal Jobs SA: SA Government has created a new website that will help connect seasonal workers to essential agricultural jobs in South Australia. Learn more here.

Tasmania:

• General advice: Tasmania has a dedicated website for COVID-19 information from state and federal health authorities.
• Livestock producers: The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment have a page on COVID-19 impacts for agricultural businesses.

Victoria:

• Victoria has a COVID-19 portal page with health information, travel arrangements and response measures. Victoria has declared a state of emergency.
• General advice: Victoria has a COVID-19 portal page with health information, travel arrangements and response measures.
• Livestock producers: Agriculture Victoria has a page which details how response measures impact on primary industries including agriculture.

Western Australia:

• General advice: WA has a dedicated page for health information and response arrangements for COVID-19. This includes specific advice for businesses and industry
• Livestock producers: The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has specific information regarding the COVID-19 response and its impact on agriculture in the state.
• G2G PASS: The G2G PASS app is an initiative of the Western Australia Police Force and has been launched to provide an efficient way of applying for and demonstrating proof of an exemption before travelling to, or within Western Australia.

The World Organisation for Animal Health advises that currently there is no evidence to suggest that animals infected by humans are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. The current spread of COVID-19 is driven by human to human transmission.

There have been no reports of the virus in domestic animals or wildlife in Australia.

Animal owners should implement good hygiene practices where animals are kept, including washing their hands after contact with animals.

Infected owners should not come into contact with their domestic animals, where possible

To protect their domestic animals, people should follow any further directions given to them by human and animal health authorities.

The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is assisting with efforts to develop a human vaccine for COVID-19. AAHL has the ability to test for the virus.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reported that there is no evidence that food is a source or transmission route for COVID-19. For other coronavirus outbreaks (e.g. SARS, MERS), transmission through food consumption did not occur.

Food Safety Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) references the EFSA information, reiterating that there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of COVID-19. FSANZ will continue to monitor developments to assess the possibility of foodborne transmission of the virus.

There are currently no cases which have shown any evidence of humans being infected via the consumption of contaminated food.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (consumer health protection) also states that due to the relatively low environmental stability of coronaviruses, it is unlikely that imported goods such as imported foods (or consumer goods such as toys, clothing etc) would be sources of infection.  Transmission via surfaces which have recently been contaminated with viruses is possible through smear infections – however, this is only likely to occur during a short period after contamination, due to the relatively low stability of coronaviruses in the environment.

While many Australian production systems rely on imported chemicals, COVID-19 is not currently impacting access for the horticulture and grains sector. This may change if international trading arrangements slow, as would be the case for other imported commodities.

While some sectors of the market are experiencing a shortage of some chemicals, the herbicide glyphosate is the most topical, this is due to low stock levels on hand during the drought coupled with the significant spike in demand from the unexpected, but welcomed, recent rain events.

NSW Farmers has recently stated there is enough chemical supply to meet needs if overstocking or panic buying is avoided.

There are some short-term issues in accessing raw materials from China but these are expected to resolve as international trade stabilises.

Mental health

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Men’s Link: 02 6238 2226

Financial resources

• Services Australia
• Treasury
• Agribusiness economic support:The Government’s economic response to Coronavirus contained no measures specific to the agribusiness sector, though the farming sector will benefit along with the rest of the business community
• Economic impact of COVID-19 on agribusiness: The coronavirus (COVID-19) represents significant short-term risks to international demand for Australian meat and fisheries products and is expected to cause medium level disruption over the longer term.
• Summary of Australian Government financial assistance measures: accelerated depreciation, cash flow boost, apprentices, debt relief, instant asset writeoffs, credit guarantee for SME borrowing.
• Summary of State & Territory Government financial assistance measures: payroll tax waivers, rates waivers, fee exemptions.
• COVID-19 Bank Assistance:  As businesses and individuals navigate through the financial crisis arising from COVID-19 it is essential that they engage with their bank early and proactively. To assist you to quickly assess the relief packages provided by the major banks, RSM set out a summary of key changes in terms, rates and fees for both business and personal customers.
• $1,500 ‘JobKeeper’ payment – Further support to businesses to retain workers
• Standing employees down as a result of Coronavirus: With Government restricted trading measures set to be in place for a number of months and constantly evolving, the ability to stand down employees, either on their accrued leave or on unpaid leave, is increasingly being utilised .
• Workers compensation considerations for Coronavirus: The important conclusion is that it is undoubtedly the case that COVID-19, if contracted in the course of a worker’s employment, can constitute an injury within the meaning of s4 of the 1987 Act.
• Financial measures to assist SMEs through COVID-19 (instant asset write-off, apprentice support, loan guarantees etc)
• Insolvency – Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses: The Government has announced measures to extend relevant time periods for the expiration of statutory demands (Companies) and bankruptcy notices (Individuals) from 21 days to six months. The measures also provide temporary relief for personal liability for insolvent trading.
• Cash Boost $100,000: To access the cash flow boost, you must lodge your activity statement. If you do not need to lodge an activity statement in respect of you PAYG withholding the ATO is working through a solution and will update its website with more information on what you need to do.
• COVID-19 and a remote workforce – steps to securing your organisation against cyber-attacks
• Working from home – statutory liability considerations: The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant portion of the broader workforce working from home. Questions arise as to whether an injury at home during the usual work day gives rise to an entitlement to compensation.