Cross-border travel permits expected for farmers, agriculture workers

Farmers are waiting on a promise that a new agriculture permit will be announced for entry into NSW. Here’s what we know.

The agriculture industry has warned of fresh produce price increases and animal welfare issues if border permit’s are not fixed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

FARMERS are waiting on a resolution to the strict state border shutdowns that are threatening to cripple agricultural supply chains.

An outcome on the call for a cross-border farming permit is being finalised, after warnings from farmers that grocery prices could skyrocket if the tough border restrictions disrupt supply chains.

But there’s confusion on where the permit is at, following hopes it would be delivered today.

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said a proposal to allow “critical agricultural workers” across the Victorian-NSW border had been developed, in conjunction with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Under the plan, ag workers – including farmers, shearers and agronomists – will get an agricultural exemption permit to travel into NSW.

Permit-holders will have to show they have had a negative coronavirus test, and will have to self-isolate if they are staying overnight in NSW, preferably at the property they are working at, he said.

“Critical agricultural workers will be able to access a permit, even those who are outside the border bubble,” Mr Marshall said on ABC Radio today.

Mr Marshall said Prime Minister Scott Morrison now wanted to see the proposal before it was implemented, and hoped it was done “as soon as possible because time is critical”.

The Weekly Times understands, however, that there is no proposal currently with the Prime Minister’s office. State governments have the power to set rules for their own borders.

Earlier today, Mr Morrison said he had spoken with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian regarding the Victorian-NSW border issues and was “confident that we will be able to get a practical resolution”, and that states had been “very adamant about their sovereignty when it comes to who sets their borders”.

NSW introduced new border restrictions last week in a bid to keep out coronavirus cases from Victoria, while South Australia is bringing in harsher border rules from next Friday.

The Victorian Farmers Federation yesterday called for “agriculture permits” for farmers who need to regularly cross interstate, following reports of farmers and other vital agricultural workers being refused permission to move across borders.

Farmers have been unable to access property and livestock interstate, Victorian hay contractors have been unable to service NSW customers, and shearers are being forced to fly from Melbourne to Sydney to quarantine before heading to regional NSW.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said she her inbox and phone had “run hot” since NSW introduced the extra rules “from property owners not being able to access their farms, to workers who work on-farm not being able to get to jobs”.

Ms Symes said she wanted to see continued conversations with NSW regarding other ongoing cross-border issues, such as healthcare, education, and services.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this morning said he’d had “positive discussions” with Ms Berejiklian yesterday in regards to trying to “achieve an outcome much like what the VFF are calling for”.

“I’m quite confident we can get a landing there,” Mr Andrews said.

“I think it will be one that is broadly supported by those who have advocated for it.”

The agricultural sector has said if the cross-border restrictions are not addressed, disruptions to the supply chain would lead to the cost of groceries increasing, as well as animal welfare issues for livestock.