Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano has urged primary producers to abide by the coronavirus permit system, despite the frustrations it's causing.
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Under the latest COVID-19 restrictions, farmers and farm workers require a permit to travel to work, when moving between properties or going about authorised farm business.
"It's frustrating," Ms Germano said.
"But, at the end of the day, we have just got to keep demonstrating our industry is willing to go along with the health restrictions, to reduce transmission."
The VFF talked to Agriculture Victoria, which operated at the behest of the health authorities, every day.
"They have heard our frustration, " Ms Germano said.
"I think they largely understand that we are saying a lot of these health orders being put in place are arbitrary and don't necessarily do anything to reduce transmission.
"But we want to show we are responsible and that managing risk is something we do, for a living."
Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidemann runs a mixed farming operation and said he had acquired a permit for all of his workers, who carry proof of the document on their phones.
He said compliance was easy to understand, but was concerned about how the permit requirement would be enforced.
"Agriculture is an essential service and it has been identified as such. If somebody is working for you and they get pulled up by a policeman or someone who is able to fine people - I think that is where it will get really testy, if people start getting fines," he said.
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"To be frank, I hope the common sense principle works. I would suggest that if somebody does end up getting fined then there will be questions asked of government."
Mr Weidemann said none of his workers had been fined, and travel to Horsham was often required for farm essentials, like stock work, visiting paddocks and picking up chemicals and supplies.
"I think people are starting to get a bit sick of all of the rules, and trying to keep up with them as they change so frequently. I just hope common sense prevails," he said.
President of Wimmera branch of the Victorian Farmers Federation Graeme Maher said it was bureaucracy gone mad.
"I've got one and all my staff have got one," he said.
"All they're doing is to say people are driving around and are doing it for agricultural enterprise."
Mr Maher said he hadn't had problems but there had been some telecommunications issues.
"No one has addressed the telecommunications shortage, so that we can do everything," he said.
"Whether that be on farm work or filling out our permits."
Mr Maher said internet issues mean many people can't do what they need to do for permits online.
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Ms Germano urged farmers to simply fill out the permit.
"Just go to your printer, print it out, put in your ABN and sign it for your workers," she said.
"It's supposed to be an acknowledgement we are an essential service and can continue."
"If you look at it, in comparison with other industries, it's at least been acknowledged agriculture is vitally important."
She said the section on the permit that required submission of hours was "largely irrelevant" to the sector.
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