Fine Gael spokesperson on Social Protection, Deputy Michael Ring, was alarmed to learn that there were 25 deaths on Irish farms in 2010. In 2009, there were 11 deaths on Irish farms.
“It is quite shocking that there were 25 fatalities on Irish farms in 2010,” Deputy Ring said. “Any death on a farm is unacceptable but this high level of deaths has to be a wake-up call for everybody.
“As well as providing access to information to assess farm safety there must be positive steps to reduce the number of farm accidents and fatalities,” he added. “One such step would be to include an incentive option to deal with health and safety in the Agri Environment Options Scheme. Creating a safe work environment should be among the aims of the scheme. I am now calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to consider this.”
