The NFU has launched an online survey to better understand how disruption to the usual supply of face masks and other agricultural personal protective equipment (PPE) has affected farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since March 2020, farmers have found it difficult to buy PPE, including FFP2 and FFP3 respiratory face masks, because of interruptions to manufacturing across the world and a huge increase in demand from the health care sector.
The survey is open to all farmers, not just NFU members, and will help the union gauge the level of disruption in supply to agriculture.
NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said he was aware the priority must be providing PPE to frontline healthcare workers, but underlined the importance of keeping disruption to agricultural supply to a minimum.
“We continue to monitor the situation and ask farmers to use PPE appropriately where it is needed, review stocks frequently and make sure any orders are made to a reputable supplier to avoid scams,” he added.
To take the survey, visit nfuonline.com