As the COVID-19 pandemic is quickly evolving, we are keeping up-to-date on the impacts on farmers and are making efforts to support you through these challenging times.
We are in communication with CFA who have created a coronavirus resource webpage, which we would encourage you to view: https://www.cfa-fca.ca/resources/resources-on-covid-19/. An immediate concern relates to seasonal agricultural workers coming to Canada in the next few weeks. CFA is part of an ESDC Emergency Preparedness Committee focusing on what needs to be done to ensure farmers have access to predictable and timely farm labour for the upcoming planting season. We are receiving regular updates from CFA on this matter and will keep you updated as we are able.
We are working through other impacts of COVID-19 on our industry and would encourage you to contact the office if you have questions or concerns that you would like us to be aware of.
We will be connecting with our key stakeholders throughout the next couple of days so that we can ensure we are all working together to minimize the impact on our food system. We recognize media will be reaching out to industry at this time and we would encourage those contacted by media to direct them to our office and to work with our Communications staff on key messaging.
You will be receiving more frequent communication from us over the next bit as we want to ensure we are keeping you up-to-date on the impacts of COVID-19 and the efforts we are taking to support our farmers through this situation.
NSFA Office Update
In regards to NSFA office protocols, as of today, March 16th, all workshops, training, on-farm visits and in-person meetings are cancelled until April 3rd. We will be working to reschedule in-person meetings and other appointments to conference calls or video conferencing methods whenever possible. We will reassess the situation at a later date.
We ask that those planning to visit the office to consider a phone call or email as an alternative. Staff will be doing their best to practice social distancing within the office. Please keep in mind, if we are required to close the office for public health reasons, our staff have the ability to work remotely.
Take care,
Victor Oulton
President
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture