Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Boyhan about the ribbon. If farmers have a tractor run, they get a little sticker to put in the cab.. If every farmer could get even that sticker to put up on their tractor, the same as tax and insurance discs, that sticker symbolises what Senator Boyhan highlighted. It is about visibility when a person gets up on the tractor. There should be a helpline number on that sticker that is on the tractor, and it should be sent out with insurance every year. When a farmer insures his or her tractor, it should be part of the certificate that is sent through the insurance companies. When a person sticks up the insurance disc, he or she can stick it up. If he or she has a sticker up, so be it.

I wish to through a couple of issues very quickly. The biggest event in the calendar of farmers, the national ploughing championships, is about to take place. Has the IFA a stand that is actually going to take farmers blood pressure and have a dedicated group of people to talk to them? Has the IFA supports in place at the ploughing championships to ensure that when he or she comes in the gate, every farmer needs to get his or her health checked? Is there going to be huge visibility around this and has the IFA the supports in place?

The media has an awful impact on farmers’ mental health. This week a headline in one of the newspapers stated that that farmers could face jail regarding not appointing a supervisor when rebuilding their sheds. That headline in itself puts fear on top of the anxiety already there after losing a shed in the storm. Media play a role in the fear factor in this.

The third question I have is about the new TB help forum. As part of the new TB task force, the Department said it is going to set up a helpline. Has Teagasc engaged with the Department regarding this helpline? Has it had an input into it? It is very important that all stakeholders should have an input into this.