Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Farm Safety: Discussion

Photo of Tim LombardTim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I believe I may be the last contributor on this issue. Will the Minister of State elaborate on how CAP reform is going to play a part in farm safety and whether he believes that the new CAP talks and the new funding will play a vital role in ensuring that farm safety will be part of that? Will the Minister of State also elaborate on the well-being of farmers and how they actually operate? Unfortunately, a lot of farmers work by themselves. It is a very lonely occupation in so many ways. They must deal with succession planning and financial planning also. Will the Minister of State speak on the well-being of farmers on the farm? I spoke with a farmer during the week and he told me that he would meet the artificial insemination, AI, man and the bulk tank truck driver and these would be his interactions during the week. There is an issue around how farmers can communicate, can meet and can be involved in the system. Their mental well-being in particular may be an issue that we must focus on. Will the Minister of State comment on those two issues?