As Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for farm safety, my goal is to ensure that our farms are safe places to live, work and visit.

I want to avail of every opportunity to remind farmers of the hazards they encounter on their farm and to encourage them to put simple measures in place to protect everyone’s safety.

Unfortunately, farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation with regard to fatalities in the workplace. It can also be a stressful occupation, particularly at busier times of the year.