Agri Aware has been selected to promote young persons’ farm safety awareness in second level schools.

The Irish agri-food educational body was awarded the contract to deliver its Farm Safety First Programme this year, with an option to extend the contract annually up to 2031. 

Making the announcement today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: “Building on the success of farm safety awareness initiatives funded by my department, I am delighted to announce funding for this important project which will promote farm safety awareness among second level students.

“I am confident that Agri Aware’s Farm Safety First programme will make an important contribution to educating secondary school students about farm safety at an age when many of them are becoming more involved in farm work.”

Eight people under 18 years-of-age lost their lives on Irish farms over the past decade, all involving farm vehicles, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

While this is a significant reduction on the 74 fatal incidents involving people under 18 years of age in the 1980s, "eight fatalities are eight too many", the department said.

The Farm Safety First programme is one of a number of initiatives in educating young people about farm safety with a view to preventing or reducing the number of incidents on farms. 

Dangers

Speaking at the announcement, Minister of State for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Niall Collins said: “The Farm Safety First programme will assist second level teachers in educating their students about the dangers associated with farming.

The minister added that everyone has a role to play in promoting and demonstrating best practice when it comes to farm safety.

“It is only by promoting best practice and discouraging risk taking that everyone, including young people and children, will adopt a responsible approach to farm safety," he said.Commenting on the awarding of funding for farm safety education in secondary schools, Agri Aware chair Shay Galvin said: "Although a brilliant environment to work in, there are risks to one's safety while working on farm.

“Therefore, it is critical, particularly at a young age to instil good habits and make aware the dangers on farms, particularly around the use of machinery and care of livestock to the next generation".

Galvin outlined that the Farm Safety First programme offers not only resources to teachers to use in the classroom but also a "practical element" via in-person workshops and farm visits.

These are aimed to "promote best practice while working on a farm and ultimately help to reduce the risk of accidents on farms in the future", the Agri Aware chair said.