Combinable Crops

How will COVID-19 impact collection of grain and deliveries of inputs?

The UK-wide Cereals Liaison Group is now holding weekly meetings on COVID-19.  Currently movements of goods have not been subject to significant disruption but there are reports of severe traffic problems at internal and external EU borders which could affect movement of goods to the UK.  You should liaise with your suppliers if deliveries look as if they may be delayed and check what your contract says about deliveries, including Force Majeure.

As above, there are not yet any indications of problems with collections of grain however there could be knock-on impacts due to maltster sales to brewers falling with the loss of demand for beer by pubs and restaurants.  Just as in normal times it is important that you should be ready when lorries arrive to collect grain.  If you are notified of delays in collection you should check your contract.  

You should also observe COVID-19 precautions for deliveries and collections and ensure that facilities for hand cleansing are made available to drivers and that they are used as required.

BASIS relaxes rules on CPD point collection

Some NFUS members have expressed concern over being unable to collect the required number of BASIS CPD points in the 2019/20 points-year.

BASIS has now confirmed it will relax its CPD requirements for Professional Register members. Ordinarily, the required number of CPD points must be collected before the points-year ends on 31 May. The extension means that the full requirement of points for the 2019/20 points-year and 2020/21 points year are fulfilled for both years, by 31 May 2021.

For example, members holding the Certificate in Crop Protection are required to gain 40 CPD points annually. However, they will now need to collect 80 points over the two-year period.

Depending on your qualification and membership category, the required number of points will vary. For example:

• Certificate in Crop Protection – 80 points by 31 May 2021
• Certificate in Crop Protection, with FACTS – 100 points by 31 May 2021
• FACTS only – 40 points by 31 May 2021
• Certificate in Crop Protection (amenity horticulture) – 40 points by 31 May 2021
• Certificate in Crop Protection (amenity horticulture) with FACTS – 60 points by 31 May 2021
  

Despite opportunities being reduced, BASIS encourages members to seek CPD points remotely in order to stay up to date with industry innovation and regulatory changes.

There are various options that can be completed at home, including reading technical publications or newsletters, as well as participating in online training sessions.

A full reading list can and associated points can be found and downloaded here.

Members can check their training record and points requirements on the BASIS website or contact a member of the BASIS team on 01335 343945.

NRoSO

Any member who is concerned about meeting required CPD points for NRoSO should contact the team at nrososupport@cityandguilds.com or 02476 857300 where this will be considered on a case by case basis.