Safety scheme deadlines loom

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and agri-organisations are urging farmers to avail of the new Farm Safety Scheme to improve their farms and to reduce fatality statistics.

Despite heightened awareness of the safety issues, 24 people have died on Irish farms so far this year. All of the relevant authorities and farm groups placed safety firmly at the top of their agenda at the National Ploughing Championships. Similar safety messages are being issued across every sector of farming and at every agri-related conference.

Minister Coveney said his department was issuing the grants for this scheme in two tranches — with funds divided evenly between both. This is to speed up the issuing of approvals.