CBH warns unvaccinated farmers and contractors will not be allowed on sites from December 31

WA’s bulk grain handler CBH has told its 3700 grower members they will not be allowed to enter its sites to deliver grain after December 31, unless they have had their first COVID-19 vaccination. CBH employees, contractors and visitors will also need to have received their first COVID-19 vaccination dose by the end of the month and be fully vaccinated by January 31 in order to enter a CBH site or office. Acting chief executive Ben Macnamara wrote to growers saying it was required to follow the State Government’s direction on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, and has made vaccination a condition of entry. The move comes as farmers are in the throes of harvesting what is expected to be WA’s biggest-ever crop — with current forecasts sitting at about 21 million tonnes — while grappling with worker shortages. Mr Macnamara said it was CBH’s responsibility to check vaccination status of staff and contractors, but understood it was the Government’s responsibility to police visitors. He said $100,000 fines would apply for each incident of non-compliance. CBH would put warning signs at all receival sites. He added CBH was exploring the possibility of hosting mobile vaccination clinics to help farmers get their jabs. CBH was previously unclear where the co-operative fit into the Government’s vaccine mandate policy and had sought clarity. Mr Macnamara said based on current information, CBH will be included within the “remaining port operations”, “remaining commercial transport, freight or logistics” and/or “critical infrastructure and services” groups. “As a valued CBH grower, from December 31, any of your employees who enter a CBH site are required to comply with the WA Government’s mandatory vaccination requirements and by entering the site declare compliance with these requirements,” he said in the letter to farmers. Mr Macnamara said full details are expected to be handed down in directions under the Public Health Act and would become law. “We understand that this is an incredibly busy time of year, particularly as we are currently receiving and out-turning one of the largest crops in history. “However, CBH is required to comply with the State Government’s mandatory vaccination measures. Also, as WA plans to re-open its borders early next year, CBH needs to be prepared for when COVID inevitably returns to our State.” Pastoralists and Graziers Association grain section president Gary McGill said there was little surprise among growers that CBH would be included under mandatory vaccine requirements, but said there remained some hesitation among growers about mandatory vaccines. WAFarmers grain section president Mic Fels said CBH had handled the situation well and did not expect the requirement would disrupt options. Outside those who have concerns, Mr McGill said because there was good availability of vaccines in regional WA and the fact CBH had given the industry plenty of notice, he did not expect it would cause significant problems. He noted also that harvest would be close to completion by the end of December. CBH had previously offered its staff, including 2000 contract harvest workers, a $100 incentive to be fully vaccinated by December 15. Mr Macnamara said the leadership team and board were all fully vaccinated.