“Stay safe to ensure marts can stay open”
11th October 2020
Rural support charity the Farming Community Network (FCN) has created a video highlighting four key ways that farmers can stay Covid-safe at marts.
Rural support charity the Farming Community Network (FCN) has created a video highlighting four key ways that farmers can stay Covid-safe at marts.
Tenant farmer and FCN regional director (North), Richard Betton, warns that safety measures must be observed while attending marts, or they could face closure under lockdown rules.
“This is a challenging time for everyone and we’re all trying to continue operating with as much of a sense of normalcy as we can,” he says. “However, if we don’t follow these rules, there is a risk we may lose access to marts.
“Marts across the UK have to demonstrate they’re obeying the rules in lockdown. It is essential all those in attendance look out for their fellow farmers and take sensible, practical precautions to ensure everyone is safe and social mingling is kept to a minimum.
“To continue operating our businesses, we need mart activity to continue as well, which will require everyone to do their part.”
The four key safety measures outlined in the video are:
- Social distance, trying to maintain a two-metre distance where possible
- Wear a mask at all times
- Do not take anyone to the mart who isn’t essential to selling or buying
- Record and register your name and contact details whenever you’re asked to at the mart.
Further information around business resilience during Covid-19 can be found via FCN’s FarmWell website here: https://farmwell.org.uk/covid-19-business-resilience/
