IFA rejects farm safety claim

THE Irish Farmers Association has rejected a claim by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) that farm safety is not a priority for farmers.

Tom Dunne, chairman of the IFA environment committee, said the number of fatalities so far this year is too high, but that doesn’t mean good practice is not being followed in the vast majority of cases.

He said it has not been his experience that farmers are hostile to inspections. Since legislation was introduced over 14 years ago, farmers have co-operated fully with safety regulations, he said.