The Welsh Government list of critical workers who can now apply for a free covid test has been updated and can be viewed here.

Food and other necessary goods workers are included in the list of critical workers and this group now includes:

• Those in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, such as farmers, abattoir workers and milk processors
• Individuals that support the production of food such as quality control
• Those who are critical to the provision of other essential goods such as veterinary medicines
• Workers critical for the essential movement and storage of goods such as agricultural merchants
• Essential agricultural services such as shearers, foot trimmers and sheep dippers

The listed critical workers can now apply for either a covid home test or a slot at a mass drive through testing centre here. Please be reminded that the covid lockdown rules still apply in Wales and so do the self-isolation guidelines if you show symptoms.

For those who cannot access the internet or have any issues when applying for a test, the COVID-19 UK support service can be contacted by dialing 119. This service is also available bilingually.

The FUW has received the following update from the BWMB:
“As the shearing season gathers pace, the British Wool Marketing Board wishes to reiterate to all sheep farmers that they continue to operate under Covid-19 Government guidance and are open and receiving wool and providing a high level of service to producers as they do every year.

British Wool will be paying all producers their balance for last season’s wool clip as normal. The announcement of the payment level will be made, as it is every year, at the end of May”.

Following an increase in fly tipping on to private land during the Covid 19 pandemic, the FUW has welcomed the Welsh Government announcement that the majority of recycling centres in Wales reopened from the 26th May.

The move to reopen some sites will help address a substantial increase in fly-tipping in some areas during the pandemic. Fly-tipping is a crime in Wales and could mean a fixed penalty of up to £400 or prosecution for those convicted. In addition, the majority of farmers face having to clear fly-tipped waste from the farm and paying the associated costs.

The date Recycling Centres will reopen is dependent on staffing levels, capacity and setup of the site and may differ from one Local Authority to another.

Members should check with their council for details of which recycling centres are open, how to access them, what materials are being collected and information of what social distancing measures are in place. Only sites which can be adapted to make sure everybody is safe will be opening, with some centres requiring people to book in advance.

All councils have agreed a common set of criteria that will need to be met before they can consider the safe re-opening of recycling sites. Councils will need to be satisfied that:

• there is an appropriate level of staff available to operate the facilities.
• the sites can comply with stringent health and safety requirements including sanitisation, social distancing and the implications for traffic management.
• trade unions are being consulted to agree the basis for any reopening and operation of the centres.

The FUW is reminding members of the Lantra skills matching service which has been set up to put key rural businesses, such as farms, in touch with individuals with the relevant skills and experience in order to address the possible labour shortages during the covid pandemic.

As of 11th May, more than three hundred employees had registered but only two employers.

The register and a frequently asked questions page can be accessed here.

Forms can also be completed through the Farming Connect Service Centre: 08456 000 813.