Any drop in farm incomes as a result of Brexit could lead to an increased safety risk on farms, according to Sinn Fein MEP, Martina Anderson.

Anderson was speaking as the fifth annual Farm Safety Week initiative got underway.

“Safety is a major issue on farms across Ireland and this week in particular, during Farm Safety Week, we remember all those who have tragically lost their lives while farming.

“There is no doubt that farming can be a dangerous task and I would encourage all those involved in farming to follow the correct safety procedures, in order to keep safe on the farm.

With many farmers under financial pressure and worried about the future as a result of Brexit, there are concerns that a drop in farm incomes could lead to increased safety risks for farmers.

“With the prospect of less money coming in, some may be tempted to cut corners when it comes to safety. We must ensure that does not happen,” the Sinn Fein MEP said.

Anderson believes that farm incomes and farmers in Northern Ireland can be protected by securing designated special status for the North within the EU.

Safety around machinery

Meanwhile, today marks the second day of Farm Safety Week – with the topic of ‘Machinery and Transport’ being the key theme focused on.

The President of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Joe Healy, outlined how machinery and transport continue to be the main causes of life-changing and life-ending injuries on farms.

In fact, of the 21 farm workers who lost their lives in agriculture in 2016, 12 were workplace machinery-transport related.

“The fact of the matter is that one death is one too many. Farm Safety Week is in its fifth year of existence, farm safety training is improving across the country and the Farm Safety Partnership is continuing to communicate directly with farmers across the country.

“We all agree that farming is an industry that has decided that enough is enough and changes need to happen,” Healy concluded.