‘Shift in culture is needed’

South Down NI21 MLA John McCallister has stressed that a complete shift in culture is needed to substantially reduce the level of fatalities and injuries on Northern Ireland’s farms.

Speaking at an Assembly debate, Mr McCallister said, “Locally we need to look again at the legislative framework around farm safety and whether the CAFRE curriculum needs to be updated. At the European level we should be examining if more can be done to fund farm safety initiatives and ensure the right regulations are in place.

“Farmers and their families work extremely hard and often within tight margins, so a shift in culture has to be universal. Ultimately improving health and safety will benefit the Agricultural industry as nothing is more devastating than often avoidable injuries and fatalities.”

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