- Minister for Agriculture
The Victorian and New South Wales Governments are working together to ensure our vital agriculture industry can continue to operate while our border is closed.
While some impacts to the Victorian and NSW agricultural industries are anticipated, Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes and NSW Minister Adam Marshall have committed to working through any issues that arise to ensure farmers and agribusinesses can continue get their produce to market.
This includes declaration from the NSW Government of agriculture, freight and logistics as critical services, supporting businesses across the border.
The border closed at midnight last night to stop the spread of coronavirus with Victorians will be able to apply online via the Service NSW website for exemptions to move between the two states.
Permits are also available for emergency services, medical or hospital care, freight and commercial workers and mining, construction, energy and manufacturing workers.
Both governments are also working to ensure regulatory requirments continue to be met, including necessary animal welfare practices and biosecurity requirments.
The extent of any impacts to agricultural industries will become clearer as details of how the border closure will operate are worked though.
Updates will be made to coronavirus.vic.gov.au and nsw.gov.au/covid-19 as more information is known. To apply for a permit, visit service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit.
As stated by Victorian Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
"We are working closely with our Federal and New South Wales counterparts to ensure freight movements across the border can continue and our agricultural products can be delivered to market shelves across Victoria."
"We know there are many farmers, agricultural workers and service providers that need to cross the border regularly to do their jobs - we are committed to ensuring we can support them during this difficult time."
As stated by New South Wales Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall
"By working together, our government and Victoria will ensure the agricultural supply chain and its associated workers and businesses will be able to continue operating, despite the border closure."
"Agriculture is critical to both our states and to the country, which is why we'll be working to make sure there's minimal to no disruption to this essential sector."
