The NSW government says it remains committed to helping itinerant and visa workers despite scant protocols put in place as yet.
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Many companies and businesses in the Hunter and New England area who rely on these workers say they need more help to retain their food security.
An SOS has been sent out for Tamworth, Inverell, and Walgett who have a huge demand for food and meat processing workers, according to the Food Industry People Group.
In the agriculture sector, transient workers are also largely hired to pick fruit.
Eventually we will have to source workers from somewhere.
- Robert Hoddle
Gunnedah's Robert Hoddle from Gunnible Pastoral Company says at the moment, his orange orchard is being maintained by his permanent staff until the June harvest.
He hopes to use the time from now till then to plan recruitment strategies, and also hopes the government will plan as well.
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"Eventually we will have to source workers from somewhere ... But we have time to encourage workers and to work on strategies to get employees in the meantime."
The NSW Government says they continue to spruik the importance of visa and itinerant workers in the agriculture and horticulture industry across regional NSW.
In a statement to the Leader, Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister John Barilaro's office said the issue isn't being neglected.
We are working with National Cabinet on measures that could permit itinerant workers to move across borders for work purposes.
- Deputy Premier's office
"We are working with National Cabinet on measures that could permit itinerant workers to move across borders for work purposes," a spokeswoman said.
"It is important that all governments balance the needs of industry against the health and safety risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."
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The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has created a specialist Primary Industries Liaison Team.
They've launched online resources to help the State's $15.9 billion primary industries sector with the challenges and impacts of COVID-19.
But throwing it back, Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management minister and Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud said in a radio interview on Wednesday they needed industry to prove they have the protocols in place to keep the community safe.
"In our meat processing sectors they're doing that, they have a continuity plan," he said.
"But for those that are using transient labour we're going to have to work through a protocol that can give comfort to the community."
