Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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460. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether a year of tragedy on farms means the message of farm safety is not getting through; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41466/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Farm safety is a critical issue facing farming today.  Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined.  While the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on farms, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is fully supportive of their work and assists in the promotion of safe farming practices.  

The rate of accidents on farms remains far too high and it is important the focus on farm safety is increased.  Safety must become an integral part of farming culture and all people involved in farming must take personal responsibility for improving the culture of safety on farms.  No individual action or organisation can solve this difficult problem that impacts so negatively on so many lives each year. 

While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation.  DAFM, in conjunction with the HSA, is focused on changing farmer behaviour in relation to Health and Safety.  Two of the more significant current initiatives in relation to this are, the requirement for all farmers seeking grant-aid under the TAMS II schemes must have completed a minimum 1/2 day Health and Safety training within the last 5 years, and that all participants in the Knowledge Transfer groups have to partake in at least one meeting on Health and Safety and to include Health and Safety in the Farm Improvement plan which is updated annually.  We must all continue to work together with the single goal of preventing accidents and therefore saving lives and minimising serious injuries.