The DUP Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson, MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the new Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) Action Plan, which was launched this week.
The three-year plan, which was first established in 2012, aims to make farms safer, and is a the result of a collaborative effort between the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, DAERA, UFU, YFCU, Rural Support, the Farm Safety Foundation and NFU Mutual.
The plan sets out a series of interventions including promoting best practice; education; engagement with children, young people, and older farmers; promoting sustainable safe farming practices; and actions where serious failures are identified.
MP Lockhart
“Agriculture is the largest industry in Northern Ireland providing employment for more than 100,000 people and contributing significantly to the economy. Unfortunately, it is also a dangerous occupation for many, especially for farmers and employees working on-farm.
“Every year, tragic and avoidable accidents are recorded, many of which cause serious life-changing injuries or have fatal consequences. These accidents have a devastating impact on farming families and rural communities.
“As the slurry ban is just days away – October 15 – I am urging farmers to prioritise their health and well-being and stay safe. I appreciate the wet weather has been challenging and has delayed seasonal farm activities, with farmers and contractors under pressure to get slurry tanks emptied ahead of the closed period.
“The launch of the FSP’s Action Plan is a timely reminder for the need to improve safety on family farms. The Farm Safety Partnership is committed to working towards a target of zero fatalities,” MP Lockhart added.
Lockhart said that despite the fact that statistics have demonstrated a reduction in the number of farm fatalities in recent times, more awareness about farm safety risks is required to reduce these figures even further.
Meanwhile, MP Carla Lockhart has repeated her calls for Westminster to recognise Northern Ireland’s contribution to the UK’s food security by increasing the agriculture budget ahead of Labour’s 2025 budget’s announcement on October 30.
“Farmers are and always have been the best custodians of our land. They must be enshrined in UK policy, given a seat at the table in key discussions and supported financially, so that they can continue their vital work,” she added.
