Farmers’ markets Stage 4 ban overturned

Farmers’ markets are back on in Stage 4 restriction areas this weekend, as the Department of Health and Human Services reverses its controversial ban.

Melbourne Farmers Markets have continued through the pandemic as essential food retailers. Pictures show stallholders and shoppers adhering to strict social distancing guidelines and wearing masks. Picture: Melbourne Farmers Markets

PRODUCERS across Victoria are celebrating tonight, as a controversial farmers’ market ban has been overturned.

In an announcement made on Twitter this evening, Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said, “farmers’ markets can continue to operate, to ensure Victorians have access to the fantastic fresh produce our farmers work tirelessly to provide”.

Earlier today market managers discovered an overnight change to the list of permitted workplaces under Stage 4 restrictions. The small amendment excluded farmers’ markets without industry consultation nor justification.

After The Weekly Times questioned the Premier’s office about why the decision had not been announced or operators given reason for the move, a government spokesman confirmed farmers’ markets could continue under Stage 4 restrictions.

“The Chief Health Officer has reaffirmed the COVIDSafe rules for farmers’ markets after concerns were raised about compliance with density requirements,” a Victorian Government spokesman said.

“Farmers’ markets are limited to takeaway food and drink sales only – to be consumed offsite – with COVIDSafe restrictions including density requirements, signage and cleaning.

“It is the responsibility of farmers’ market organisers to ensure their event is COVIDSafe.

“Compliance with the requirements will be monitored closely and if it is apparent that COVIDSafe standards are not being met, the continued operation of these markets will be reviewed.”

The spokesman did not explain the reason for the initial ban.

The government announcement was welcomed by Victorian Farmers’ Market Association executive officer Kate Archdeacon.

“We are so grateful that Minister Symes understands the value of accredited farmers’ markets and the producers who choose them as places to sell direct to our community,” she said.

EARLIER THIS EVENING

Today organisers discovered farmers’ markets had been banned from operating in Melbourne under Stage 4 coronavirus restrictions. The move shocked operators and producers across the state.

Outdoor food markets remained on the official list of permitted work premises, but a subtle amendment made by the Department of Health and Human Services yesterday specifically disallowed farmers’ markets.

The change was effective from 11.59pm last night.

Victorian Farmers’ Market Association executive officer Kate Archdeacon said the ban had been snuck through without any industry consultation nor justification.

At least five markets have been forced to cancel and the decision will affect more than 300 producers, Ms Archdeacon said.

“It has basically been snuck through overnight,” she said. “I was made aware of it at 9 this morning and have been working all day to try to change this.

“I have had a network of market managers, government staff and ministerial staff all trying to get the DHHS to explain why this has happened.”

She said despite numerous emails, she had received no response from the DHHS.

“We don’t know why it has been done, but have heard rumours that it is because of the pasting that two non-accredited markets copped last weekend in the media. But no one is owning up to it.”

Melbourne Farmers Markets director Miranda Sharp said nearly 100 small businesses that traded at her network of markets had been affected.

“That’s nearly 100 small businesses that were packed and ready to go for the weekend,” she said.

“Who do we send the invoice to?

“As an accredited farmers’ market, we are really proud to be accountable, transparent and doing everything and more to adhere to the safety protocols the state government had mandated for COVID-19.

“But we have been kicked in the guts.”

She said the move let down not just small-scale farmers and producers, but customers who would have to “presumably go to the supermarket”.

“If this had happened three weeks ago and we had been advised, it would have been bloody hard but we would have had to suck it up,” she said.

“But on the same day the government says, ‘we are all doing really well’ and … we are doing well because we are trying our guts out to keep our doors open too while everyone else can, in that same 24 hours we are closed.”

Pictures taken on Saturday of people sitting together on the grass near Yarraville Village Farmers’ Market stalls gained widespread media coverage.

Ms Archdeacon said if the coverage had influenced the DHHS decision, it had not followed its own policies.

“If there were breaches of the regulations for markets that were trading, those markets should have been fined. It shouldn’t have meant the whole sector couldn’t be able to trade,” Ms Archdeacon said.

“Outdoor food markets like the South Melbourne Market and the Queen Vic Market are still allowed to trade, but the ones at which farmers are allowed to sell directly to the public are not allowed to trade.

“If a supermarket operator had caused concern, then they would be dealt with directly. But you wouldn’t see the DHHS suddenly removing the status of supermarkets as permitted workplaces.”

Ms Sharp said the exclusion of farmers’ markets from the outdoor food market category was an insult to the sector.

“You could be running a food market tomorrow – an anything-goes food market – but if you are a farmers’ market you can’t.”

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