Simon Coveney urges more focus on farm safety
Speaking at the Irish Farmers Association-organised National Farm Safety Day, he said the level of farm accidents every year within the industry is unacceptable.
He said: “It is important to remember that farms are both work places and family homes and it is important that the whole family is alert to the risks that exist on farms.
“Great care is required to ensure tragic accidents do not occur,” he said, noting that there were 30 fatal farm accidents last year with another eight so far this year.
“It is important that this year is made a watershed year so that we never return to the high level of fatal farm accidents that occurred in 2014,” he said.
Minister Coveney called on all farming organisations to encourage farmers to change their behaviours in relation to farm safety. Farmers must not put off farm safety work – if there is a risk, they should be encouraged to undertake the required remedial work, he said.
That was why he launched the Farm Safety Scheme last year, Mr Coveney explained, and will be including an increased range of safety items in capital investment schemes this year.
He commended the IFA and sponsors FBD on the Farm Awareness Day and urged all farmers to fully embrace safe farming systems. IFA president, Eddie Downey said the reaction from farm families shows a commitment to changing safety behaviour on farms and making safety a top priority.
