Minister launches farm safety initiative in Cavan

The Minister for Agriculture Marine and Food Simon Coveney yesterday launched Irish Rural Link's Farm Safety Mentor Programme at Government Offices in Cavan. The initiative is a new and innovative approach in the communication of the Farm Safety message. Seamus Boland CEO of Irish Rural Link said, "We are delighted with Minister Coveney's endorsement of the initiative here today but sadly fatalities and injuries remain way too high on Irish farms and part of the solution is to actively involve farmers themselves in the change process." This new and innovative approach to saving lives will engage farmers to become change makers, supporting safer farms and the development of farm to farm advice and mentoring systems. "Farmers know better than anyone the day-to-day challenges in terms of farm safety and actively engaging leaders in the farming community has huge potential to bring about a change in culture." Martin O'Halloran CEO of the Health and Safety Authority added: "We commend Irish Rural Link for this proactive and innovative pilot program and see great potential in Farmers mentoring Farmers on health and safety issues. Farmers influencing farmers on the critical importance of having a safe farm, putting things right before accidents happen and indeed setting up the farm for safe expansion must be seen as part of the foundation to successful farming. This program could not be coming on stream at a better time, with farmers looking to expand their production at a time when fatal and serious accidents are unfortunately increasing. We will support this initiative in any way we can." The project funded by the Health and Safety Authority is initially being rolled out in the midland counties of Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Longford and is based on the discussion group model, where farmers mentor their colleagues on farm safety.