Hamilton and McIlveen launch new Farm Safety Affiliate Scheme

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen today launched the Farm Safety Affiliate Scheme.

The Affiliate Scheme is part of the Farm Safety Partnership’s (FSP) commitment to encourage and recognise organisations who pledge to utilise their resources and expertise to improve farm safety.

Speaking at the launch Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said:  “Farming is a vital part of the Northern Ireland economy and it is crucial that we make every effort to improve the health and safety within the industry.

“Since its inception, the Farm Safety Partnership has worked tirelessly to increase awareness about farm safety and to reduce work-related fatalities and injuries on our farms. The 14 organisations recognised today are well placed within the local agricultural community to enhance the good work already undertaken and to keep farm safety to the fore.”

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen added: “I welcome the launch of the Affiliate scheme and I commend the commitment of these organisations to work hard to improve health and safety within the agricultural sector.

“These organisations share our aims to work in partnership to improve the health and safety of the local farming community and I look forward to their efforts to help raise the profile of farm safety in Northern Ireland. I would encourage other organisations who want to demonstrate their commitment to supporting the industry to join the scheme.”

Fourteen organisations from within the commercial, educational and voluntary sectors were awarded Farm Safety Affiliate status and received their membership certificates.

The organisations are:

• ABP Group
• AES UK & Ireland
• Asda
• Danske Bank
• Glens of Antrim Potatoes
• Girlguiding Ulster
• Lakeland Dairies
• Livestock & Meat Commission Northern Ireland
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust
• Northern Ireland Safety Group
• Power NI
• Rural Development Council NI
• Ulster Bank
• Ulster University - School of Nursing

Commenting on the scheme, HSENI and FSP Chairman George Lucas said: “It is great to see so many reputable organisations putting their weight behind the farm safety message.  The level of interest in the Affiliate scheme shows how key the issue of safety is within this industry.

“The FSP looks forward to working with these organisations and building on the work already undertaken to help make our farming community safe.”

Businesses or organisations operating in Northern Ireland can find out how to become a Farm Safety Partnership Affiliate Scheme on the HSENI website

Notes to editors: 

1. The Farm Safety Partnership comprises the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), NFU Mutual (NFUM), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA). It is tasked with assisting Northern Ireland’s farming community to work safely and tackle the problem of work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.

2. The Farm Safety Partnership Affiliate is made up of the following organisations – ABP Group; AES UK and Ireland; Asda, Danske Bank; Girlguiding Ulster; Glens of Antrim Potatoes; Lakeland Dairies; Livestock and Meat Commission Northern Ireland; Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Northern Ireland Safety Group; Power NI; Rural Development Council NI; Ulster Bank and the University of Ulster – School of Nursing.  These organisations awarded affiliate status support the Farm Safety Partnership by working to raise the profile of farm safety in Northern Ireland. 

3. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE).

4. HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.

5. For media enquiries please contact: HSENI Press Office on: 028 9024  3249 or email: media@hseni.gov.uk For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number: 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.

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