by in News
April 26, 2018
Safeguarding the Future of Farming

Attending the recent Safeguarding the Future of Farming Conference Tom Murphy for PAC Ireland remarked that this HSA conference was a breath of fresh air.  Moderated by Damien O’Reilly it was an interactive event with plenty of audience participation and practical safety demonstrations. Opening the event, Minister Doyle said: “To have a productive and efficient agricultural sector, it is important that those working on farms work in a safe manner without suffering injury or harm”.  Minister Doyle continued: “While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation. Behavioural change is what is required to prevent many accidents.  “It is a case of being aware of the dangers and taking the time to do what is necessary to minimise the risk”.
Also in attendance, MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness said the perception of farming and our support for the family farm model as an ideal, needs to be moderated by the reality that “family farms” are not the safe and secure places they should be. Continuing, McGuinness says that she wants to know if, within the framework of the next reform of the CAP, the commission sees the need for a Europe-wide focus on farm accidents and farm fatalities. She also wants the Commission to acknowledge that low farm incomes and the relentless pressure on farmers in the food supply chain is a contributing factor to farm accidents and fatalities. “The issue is not just of concern in Ireland, where farming is the most dangerous occupation to be in, but is a concern across all member states”.The MEP said the perception of farming, and our support for the family farm model as an ideal, needs to be moderated by the reality that “family farms” are not the safe and secure places they should be.