OF&G Coronavirus Update 16th March 2020

We are all facing a fast-paced and changing situation in the light of the continued escalation of coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be continuing to review our response to the situation in line with government advice.

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OF&G Staffing

Week commencing 16 March 2020 we are facilitating a number of our members of staff to be able to work from home. This is in line with the recent Government advice suggesting a proportionate response for the need for ‘social distancing’. We will however still have some staff working from our main offices.

We would like to reiterate however that there should be no disruption in our services, with the team being available as usual Monday-Friday 9am– 5pm.

We are being advised by DEFRA that inspections should continue to be arranged as normal although this is currently under review.

If you are concerned about your health or that of your family and would like to discuss a forthcoming inspection please contact your inspector or Certification Officer in the first instance.

We will continue to review this position as new information and guidance emerges or new measures are put in place. We will keep everyone up to date on any changes, but for now its business as usual.

OF&G Staff Contacts

In light of the continued escalation of coronavirus (COVID-19), and in response to current Government advice suggesting a proportionate response for the need for ‘social distancing’ a number of our staff are now working remotely.

We would like to reiterate however that there should be no disruption in our services, with the team being available as usual Monday-Friday 9am– 5pm.

To help ensure you can contact the relevant person effectively please look at the OF&G staff contact details.

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Guidance for licensees and for inspectors

Defra (as the Competent Authority) has issued guidance to all Organic Control Bodies that physical inspections should continue to be arranged with licensees wherever possible.

If both the inspector and business owner are content to proceed then physical inspections can take place, while at the same time following current Government guidelines regarding any additional measures including additional protective clothing, maintaining physical distance, additional sanitising, etc.

OF&G are not insisting that inspections must go ahead. When a physical inspection cannot be completed due to health risks associated with the COVID-19 outbreak i.e. the operator is self-isolating or is over 70 or is considered vulnerable under official guidelines or is restricting visitors due to COVID-19 (social distancing) we are currently postponing inspections for up to 30 days.

We are in discussions with Defra, along with the other Control Bodies, regarding operator completed self-assessments where physical inspections are not going to be appropriate for an extended period of time. Where self-assessments are undertaken it is envisaged that a physical inspection will be undertaken as soon as possible once when Government guidance allows access again.