TEAGASC statistics of 4,500 non-fatal farm accidents every year are probably only a fraction of the true figure, according to a Galway farmer and IFA representative.

Eyrecourt’s Peter Gohery and Galway IFA Rural Development Rep told the Farming Tribune that many injuries suffered on farms were not being reported as farm related.

“Maybe there’s a stigma there about being injured on a farm but we do need to get the true statistics out there about the number of injuries that are actually happening on farms.

“I know from speaking to doctors and consultants that many patients presenting with injuries suffered on farms are for some reason reluctant to say that it happened on the farm,” Peter Gohery told the Farming Tribune.

In last week’s Budget 2023, Minister of State at the Dept. of Agriculture, Martin Heydon, confirmed that the Department’s budget for farm safety was being increased to €2.5 million in 2023.

“Unfortunately, 10 people have lost their lives in fatal farm incidents this year. That is 10 too many – 10 farms, families, and communities left devastated.

“We know farm safety is inextricably linked to farmer health and wellbeing. That is why I plan to extend the On Feirm Ground initiative from farms advisors to other professionals working with farmers next year,” said Minister Heydon.

He added that he also wanted to prioritise getting more physical safety infrastructure onto farm with plans for a 60% grant rate in TAMS for farm safety investments.

Minister Heydon said that the more recent figures from Teagasc indicated at least 4,500 non-fatal accidents occurring on farms each year in the Republic of Ireland.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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