Written answers

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

Department of Agriculture and Food

Farm Safety

10:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one third of all fatal workplace accidents here occur on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25575/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am very concerned with the level of farm safety on our farms. Last year 11 people died on Irish farms, while this was a decline of almost 40% on 2006, it is still unacceptably high. This year to-date 10 people have died on Irish farms. I strongly support the work of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which is the national body in Ireland with responsibility for securing health and safety at work.

In 2007, almost 17% of all fatal workplace accidents occurred on farms and the corresponding average figure for the years 2002-2007 is just over 25%. While the general downward trend in the rate of fatal farm accidents involving children and adults under 60 years of age is welcomed, the increase in fatal farm accidents among farmers over 60 years of age is very worrying.

The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee to the Health and Safety Authority was set up in 2002. This Committee is made up of representatives from my Department, Teagasc, HSA and other farming groups and supports and co-ordinates the majority of research and promotional activities in relation to farm safety. This Committee put a five year Farm Safety Plan in place in 2003, which achieved a 28% reduction in farm fatalities and a 31% reduction in farm accidents. A new five year Farm Safety Plan is being developed by the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and my Department will fully support this Plan with the aim of reducing farm fatalities and injuries even further.

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