The Welsh government has announced £80,000 in funding for the Welsh Farm Safety Partnership to raise awareness of farm safety.
The funds will go towards the setting up and hosting of events, working with schools and the Wales Young Farmers Club (YFC), as well as a new children’s book on staying safe on farms.
Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, made the funding announcement while on a visit to Richard Pilkington’s farm at Shordley Hall near Hope in Flintshire.
While making the announcement, Griffiths said: “Our farmers do a fantastic job, but we know the work they do can be dangerous too.
“We have sadly seen the stories of tragic incidents on farms in Wales and one incident is one too many.
“This funding will be important in raising awareness of the dangers on farms, helping farmers, their families and visitors to understand the risks and how to stay safe.”
Pilkington, of the 365ha dairy, arable and sheep farm, said: “It’s been great to welcome the minister to Shordley Farm to show the important work which takes place here.
“Many farmers often work alone which can make working safely a real challenge.
“I’m pleased the funding being announced will help promote the importance of safety on farms across Wales.”
Farm safety in Wales
Newly appointed ambassador for the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, Beca Glyn, sustained serious injuries from a quad bike accident on her family farm in 2018.
The North Wales beef and sheep farmer said she has since been on a mission to raise the profile of farm safety and promote safe working practices.
The £80,000 in funding awarded to the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, which is a collaboration of agricultural organisations, will be used to help drive down the number of serious incidences and death on Welsh farms.
“I think it helps for farmers to listen to someone who has made a mistake and has had first hand personal experience of what can go wrong and the consequences of that,” Glyn said.
“…we want to spread the important message of how farmers can get better at making their farms safer places to work and live, and today’s announcement will help with this aim.”
Glyn believes farm safety is moving in the right direction in Wales, but there is still more to be done.”
“We can all improve, whatever our farm or system, not only for our sakes but for our families and visitors to the farm like our vets,” she said.
