A Thousand Farmers Take Part In FarmSafe Awareness

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill today welcomed the news that 1,000 farmers and farm family members have participated in the FarmSafe Awareness programme. FarmSafe Awareness is an initiative developed by the industry through the Farm Safety Partnership to increase awareness and reduce farm accidents and fatalities. The scheme is delivered locally on 37 Focus Farms by a network of dedicated farm facilitators. Minister O’Neill said:xa0“Farm safety remains an important priority for my Department. There is a culture of risk-taking within local agriculture and it is important that we work to change this mindset and to encourage farmers to stop and think about their work environment and their actions. We are working towards a target participation of 3,000 farmers and farm families by March 2014 and I am encouraged to see this is well underway with 1,000 farmers and their families having already taken part. FarmSafe Awareness combines practical guidance with real life farm experiences and I would actively encourage farmers and their families to get involved.” The Rural Development Programme supports the delivery of FarmSafe Awareness workshops which are considered an essential part of a comprehensive industry wide effort to make farms safer. Registrations can be accepted on a group or individual basis and sessions will run once a minimum of 10 people are registered for one FarmSafe Awareness course. A light lunch is provided and sessions can run during week days or on Saturdays as demands request. Contact FarmSafe on 0845 026 7536 or visit:xa0http://www.countrysiderural.co.ukfor participating Focus Farms.