Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the actions that can be taken to reduce the number of farm accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18865/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the publication last week of the Annual Report 2005 of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) which is the State Agency responsible for the promotion and enforcement of workplace health and safety in Ireland. Agriculture and forestry is one of a number of key sectors dealt with in the Report.

I particularly support the Strategic Alliance referred to in the Report between the HSA and Teagasc which aims to develop initiatives in support of farm safety including the development of the first Code of Practice for enterprises of three or less employees in farming and piloting of the code by means of short training courses and on farm evaluations. I was involved in the launch of this Strategic Alliance and, while the evaluation of the initiative is still ongoing, initial results show that:

—1400 farmers attended the courses in farm safety

—98% of the farmers that attended the course agreed that it was worthwhile and that the course should be made available to all farmers

—97% stated that the course would help them implement health and safety on their farms.

On farm evaluations are now taking place to assess the health and safety measures that farmers have adopted as a result of attending the course. I look forward to the outcome of these evaluations as a further contribution to farm safety.