General secretary John Edmonds said compensation being paid to farmers should be extended to workers. However, it is something of a double whammy - higher prices and less choice. What has happened is that the ban on livestock movement has cut off supplies. With beef, it is not so urgent because the maturation process can take up to three weeks, so there is still some in the pipeline. With lamb, it is the peak New Zealand import season, so it is not too bad.
Pork is the big issue according to retailers especially the popular cuts like loin.
Their trade association is saying that it fears that many will close if this crisis continues. The supermarkets are saying there will be supplies. Nobody will have to go without but they will be restricted to some extent and there are no guarantees that prices will remain constant at current levels.