AQW 20499/17-22
Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim
Tabled Date: 16/06/2021
Answered On Date: 29/06/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Ulster Farmers’ Union in regard to promoting farm safety.
Answer:
Whilst Health and Safety is the remit of the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI), I fully recognise that as an industry we must all work together to ensure the safety of our farm families and employees. The Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) was established in 2012 and has representation from my Department, HSENI, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the National Farmers’ Union Mutual, the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association. The FSP membership meets quarterly and has a clear focus on increasing awareness of farm safety and reducing work-related fatalities and injuries on Northern Ireland's farms. The 2020-2023 Farm Safety Action Plan (its fourth Action Plan), is concentrating on specific ‘Farm Safe Essentials’ aimed at reducing the number of serious and fatal incidents relating to frequently recurring causes. Whilst the FSP provides a specific forum for agricultural industry organisations to discuss Farm Safety issues, engagement with the Ulster Farmers’ Union on these issues also takes place outside of the FSP when key policies and delivery programmes are being developed. This is evident in the design and delivery of the Farm Business Improvement Capital and Non Capital Schemes with Farm Safety elements key within these programmes. My Department will work collaboratively with the Ulster Farmers’ Union and other partners on the FSP to help drive home the importance of farm safety and develop a safety-first culture on our local farms. It is however, the farmers and those living and working on our farms that must put into practice those actions that are required to minimise or eliminate the risks of serious injury or death on our farms.
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