Farms have 6% of workforce but almost 50% workplace fatalities

The farming community in Cavan and Monaghan have been encouraged to share their ideas for farm health, safety and wellbeing projects.

The projects will be backed by €1 million under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP).

“Fatal accidents on farms account for nearly 50% of all workplace fatal incidents each year, despite farms only accounting for 6% of the workforce,” said Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon.

“As the first Government Minister with specific responsibility for Farm Safety I want to put safety at the heart of our farms and I want farmers to be centrally involved in how we do that.

“That is why I am delighted to be launching a call under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP’s) specifically related to farm health safety and wellbeing.

"This call will see the provision of €1m to explore new and innovative ways of dealing with Farm Safety challenges within the sector. The EIP model is built on stakeholders in the sector itself coming together as a group and trialling new and innovative ideas and approaches. I am confident that the EIP model will prove to be of significant benefit in the area of farmer health, safety and wellbeing.”

Stage 1 of the EIP call for proposals on Farm Health, Safety and Wellbeing has a closing date of Friday, January 29.

At Stage 1, a short application form is required which sets out the main elements of a proposed project. All forms and guidance notes are available at www.gov.ie