Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
318. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if rural development programme, RDP, schemes operated in other member states (details supplied) that have significantly reduced farm fatalities have been examined with a view to consideration for roll-out here. [14845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input by his Department into the first meeting of farm safety task force; and the actions agreed. [14851/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together.
Farm safety is a critical issue facing our industry. Over the last ten years 210 people have been killed on Irish farms. 23 of these were children and 74 were elderly people. Accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. Last year there were 24 fatal accidents on farms accounting for over 50% of all workplace fatalities.
Sadly there have already been 4 fatal farm accidents this year. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and we must work together to reduce deaths and accidents on our farms. Every single farmer must make time and take responsibility for safety on their farm to ensure they and their families and employees are working in as safe an environment as possible.
The Farm Safety Interdepartmental Task Force was set up to focus on this important area and my Department is a participant. My Department highlighted its on-going efforts under Ireland’s current Rural Development Programme, including:
- A Farm Safety Scheme that was opened as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II) round of on-farm investment schemes.
- As part of all the TAMS II strands, it is mandatory to have completed a minimum of a ½ day farm safety course on completing the Code of Practice within the last five years.
- ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines are included in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by my Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. The guidelines give advice on best practice and legislation.
- A mandatory Health and Safety element is included in all Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups under the 2014-2020 RDP. All KT Groups held a meeting on the theme of farm health and safety in Year One of the Programme. Farmer participants also complete, for each of the three years of the Programme, a tailored Farm Improvement Plan with their approved KT Facilitator which includes a component related to farm health and safety. In addition to attending group meetings farmers have the option to attend an approved Knowledge Transfer National Event such as a farm walk in lieu of two meetings. Since the commencement of the Programme 11 of these events have addressed the topic of farm health and safety.
In addition, training on farm health and safety was delivered to approximately 300 KT Facilitators under the Continuous Professional Development measure.
The group is reviewing stakeholder submissions and considering further opportunities for interventions in what is a critical challenge for the industry.
With regards to the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2020, the recent public consultation process organised by my Department allowed for views and possible approaches to be discussed and coincided with an invitation to make written submissions on the future of the CAP. Any measure that can reduce farm fatality rates will be given utmost consideration when finalising Ireland’s position during future discussions of the CAP post 2020.
