Farmers urged to keep safety front of mind during drought
Farmers are being urged to keep their safety at the front of their minds while working to make sure cattle have enough fodder during drought conditions.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) called on farmers to prioritise safety during the busy period ahead, as they "work tirelessly" to ensure livestock have adequate water and feed supplies.
Chairperson of the ICMSA Farm Business Committee, Pat O'Brien, was commenting after what he described as a "frightening surge" in farm-related accidents and tragedies.
"First and foremost, I want to express ICMSA’s sincere sympathies to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost loved ones in farm accidents in recent times," he said.
"Many farmers have been working around the clock to keep water troughs filled and animals cared for during challenging weather conditions," O'Brien added.
"Their commitment is unquestionable, but they also need to look after themselves.
He said that, after "a long and demanding spring", the respite of summer has not materialised, and fatigue is becoming a real concern on farms.
The ICMSA representative said that the association recently met with Age Action Ireland to discuss the high proportion of farm fatalities involving older farmers.
"Obviously there’s an important place for retired farmers to remain active on farms, sharing their experience and continuing to contribute. But first and foremost, farms must be safe and secure workplaces. Agriculture is a workplace, and we must always remember that," O'Brien said.
He urged farmers to avail of financial supports available to improve safety on their farms.
These include the farm safety scheme under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS); the power-take-off (PTO) shaft cover measure; and the accelerated allowance for eligible farm safety and adaptive equipment.
O'Brien said: "I fully appreciate that, for some farmers, simply putting food on the table for their families is the immediate priority.
"However, no matter how difficult things become, we cannot allow farm safety to slip. No job on the farm is so urgent that it cannot be done safely," he added.
