Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too want to support this amendment wholeheartedly. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, and compliment him on his appointment and on this initiative, which he understands because he is a farmer. I am glad the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, embraced it and made efforts in terms of faster tax rebates and relief because the number of incidents and accidents on farms that result in loss of life and loss of limb is shocking and they bring trauma to wives, husbands and families as well as the entire farming community. In the past, farms were full family enterprises. They have become very lonely places but not any less dangerous. They are probably more dangerous because of the size of the tractors and other equipment. All the measures the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, outlined for people who have had accidents are very important. He referred to quick hitches, hand levers, front and rear pick-ups and so on but they will not deal with the problem of the size of the tractors. Farmers will not see anything coming in their direction because they are ginormous. Unfortunately, that is the way farming has gone in terms of everything being so big.

I welcome the provisions in the Bill and will support the amendment. I salute everyone involved in farm safety. A great scheme was set up by two ladies, the name of which will not come to me but the Minister of State might be able to help me. They had a video on farm safety and went around visiting national schools. It has stopped now because of the Covid-19 pandemic but it was a wonderful scheme. They gave a talk and showed the video on the inherent risks and dangers on farms.

We all see children on tractors and it is frightening. There is always potential for accidents. Farms are now a lonely place. There is normally only one farmer and he will not even see the milkman because they come at three or four in the morning. That is how it is with Glanbia and the creamery. This all leads to the conversation about the loss of local pubs, shops and post offices. It is lonesome.

I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me to bring up the issue of farm inspections. They are happening in the middle of Covid. Farmers need support for mental health. They cannot get staff because the staff are sick. There is a farmer in south Tipperary with more than 10,000 sheep. There is an ongoing battle, although it should not be a battle because he wants to work with inspectors, but they are coming to inspect the sheep. Why can they not use drones or other forms of technology? If there is animal cruelty that has to be eradicated - I am all for that. He has a shepherd who has died and another who is sick. Now a member of his family is sick from the trauma and stress. The days are too short now with fog and rain to try to get sheep off the sides of mountains with sheepdogs. It is nigh impossible.

Inspections should be postponed until February or the spring unless there is clear suspicion that there are animal welfare issues, and surely we can examine that with technology. I thought there was an EU directive that minimal numbers of farm inspections should be happening. The Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, might be able to clarify that. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and to officials in the Department veterinary office in Tipperary. It is causing significant pressure and stress. Farmers need support in these trying times, since they cannot get staff and are dealing with the weather, prices, Covid and lack of people around them on the hillsides of Tipperary and east Cork, including the Galtee Mountains, the Knockmealdown Mountains, and the famed Slievenamon. Farmers want to work and have complied. We need engagement and training.

I welcome all the changes raised. I welcome the community aspect too. I ask the Minister of State to have common sense and to postpone these inspections until the spring, when the days are longer, the weather is better and farmers will have some help again. It is a lonely occupation and they cannot get staff to do that work. They have to have trained shepherds to go out and round up sheep with sheepdogs, mind them and get them in for inspection. Unless there is a desperate, grave need, I appeal for these inspections to stop. Instead, Department veterinary office inspectors should be asked to visit farmers, do it online or telephone them to support them and ask them what problems they have. They have many problems with bills to pay at this time of year, poor prices, Brexit worrying them and so on. We do not need over-regulation and intimidation. We should support these farmers, many of whom are on their own. It is lonely. I wholeheartedly support the amendment and the change regarding farm safety has to be welcomed.

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