Government rules to help combat the spread of the coronavirus Covid 19 mean that farmers, just like everybody else, cannot leave their house or garden if they have to self isolate.

This includes not going into the lambing shed, or to the fields to feed or check stock, or going anywhere that could be described as their ’place of work’. They can’t even go out to collect stock if they are reported as being loose out on the roads.

On Saturday Tim, along with Manx NFU general secretary Andy Cooper, updated farmers and tried to clarify the situation in a specially recorded video.

Tim said: ’I know there’s a bit of confusion about what self isolation means. We want to get the message over how important it is that we as farmers have contingency plans going forward to deal with this situation.

’It’s going to be a very difficult time for everybody but we will get through it by working together and helping each other out.’

The rules and criteria for who must self isolate are listed in full at www.gov.im/ coronavirus, but they refer to people who have recently returned to the island and those who are displaying symptoms: a new continuous cough or a high temperature. Anyone who is found in breach of the regulations will be subject to a fine of up to £10,000.

Tim said: ’As farmers we can’t be treated any diferently to anyone else: we have to adhere to those rules.’

Andy added: ’The conclusion we’ve come to after seeking advice is that self isolation means self isolation.’

Tim told farmers: ’If you fall into the category for mandatory self isolation you should remain in your home.

’You cannot work on the farm or surrounding area and you cannot travel to other areas of the holding. You cannot attend to livestock on the holding and you must abide by all the rules for self isolation otherwise you risk being prosecuted and at the moment they’re talking about a £10,000 fine or up to three months in prison.’

’If you are self isolating and you cannot work on the farm, you have to have contingency plans in place for someone else to cover.’

Tim and Andy have both received many phone calls from worried farmers, wondering how they will get through lambing and other essential seasonal tasks they need to carry out over the next couple of months.

Andy Cooper said: ’The biggest question I’ve been asked this week is: "Why can’t I work on the farm if I’m self isolating? I’m not coming into contact with anyone as my farm is isolated."

’But you would be putting other people at risk: if you were to have an accident and the emergency services had to visit your farm you could contaminate them.

’The consequences are unimaginable of how far it could go.’

Even in a situation where stock requires 24-hour monitoring farmers must stay at home.

Tim said: ’It’s going to be really, really difficult and we appreciate that. You’ll be driven mad in the house and you’ll just want to jump in the truck and drive down the road to check the stock but as soon as you do that you will be breaking the law.

’Even if you get a phone call in the middle of the night to say your stock are out on the road you must remain in self isolation: you cannot go out. You have to have somebody in place who can go and sort it out for you.’

’You cannot work on the farm: you have to have contingency plans in place. Think about what needs doing on the farm and who could come and help. Make sure they understand what needs doing: it needs to be written down somewhere agreed so someone can access that information.’

Tim added: ’This is difficult for everybody and it’s probably taken us all a bit of time to realise the seriousness of the situation, but we’re here to give any advice at all. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. And don’t be shy or embarassed about asking other people for help because we’re all in the same boat.’

l If you are struggling to find someone who could help out if you have to self isolate take a look at the IOM Rural Support Facebook page. This was set up as a support network for those working in the agricultural sector, to support the industry through the coronavirus situation.

lYou can watch the Manx NFU video in full at manx-nfu.org