Education and awareness key to reducing farm deaths - IFA

Monaghan IFA County Chairman Bert Stewart said he was very concerned at the increase in the number of accidents and deaths on Irish farms and that he had huge sympathy for the families affected by these tragedies.

He said "Increased awareness of health and safety through ongoing education and promotion is the most effective way of reducing farm accidents."

He said IFA are currently working closely with the HSA, Teagasc and FBD on IFA's "Think Safety - Farm Safely" campaign. Experts from these organisations are currently addressing each of the 29 IFA County Executives to provide practical advice on steps and measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents."

"The use of awareness and promotion to keep safety to the forefront in the minds of all farm families will have far more impact than inspection and enforcement. It will help to improve our safety record and bring about a real change in culture, he added.

IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee Chairman Margaret Healy said close co-operation between farm families and agencies will heighten awareness of best practice and reduce the level of accidents on farms.

Monaghan IFA County Chairman Bert Stewart said he was very concerned at the increase in the number of accidents and deaths on Irish farms and that he had huge sympathy for the families affected by these tragedies.

He said "Increased awareness of health and safety through ongoing education and promotion is the most effective way of reducing farm accidents."

He said IFA are currently working closely with the HSA, Teagasc and FBD on IFA's "Think Safety - Farm Safely" campaign. Experts from these organisations are currently addressing each of the 29 IFA County Executives to provide practical advice on steps and measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents."

"The use of awareness and promotion to keep safety to the forefront in the minds of all farm families will have far more impact than inspection and enforcement. It will help to improve our safety record and bring about a real change in culture, he added.

IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee Chairman Margaret Healy said close co-operation between farm families and agencies will heighten awareness of best practice and reduce the level of accidents on farms.