People won’t be surprised that in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, agriculture as a critical industry (as indeed it always is!), allowing businesses to continue operating as usual amid current and potential restrictions created to stem the spread of the virus.
The declaration came from the Department of Homeland Security, which extended the designation to the entire food and agriculture production system. Farm groups in recent days had been concerned about the potential for movement restrictions put in place to limit exposure of the virus, including the potential for halted shipment of inputs needed for the upcoming planting season.
The ag industry is facing a long list of unforeseen complications as the virus hits thousands of people across the country. Farm groups are concerned about labor issues should critical workers become infected and about migrant workers seeking to come to the U.S. to work during the upcoming planting season, but so far, agribusiness interests say they’re operating as usual.
Read more about the announcement here, here, and here.