Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been a 110% increase in the average number of fatal farm accidents between 1993 and 2007 on farms among those over 60 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25576/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware and very concerned with the increase in fatal farm accidents between 1993 and 2007 involving farmers over 60 years of age. I fully support the work of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the statutory body established under the 1989 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, which works in partnership with the agriculture and forestry sectors to improve health and safety in farm and forestry workplaces.

While there is a general downward trend in the rate of fatal farm accidents in recent years, there is an alarming increase in the number of fatal accidents to farmers over 60 years of age. The majority of these accidents were associated with tractors/machinery, livestock and falls. The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, of which my Department is a member, are planning to target the promotion of safety for older farmers as part of their new Farm Safety Action Plan for 2008-2012.