Farm Family Council Report September 2021

Activity since last National Council

• IFA are in regular contact with Older Persons Strategy Unit, Department of Health on the status of the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill. The latest position is that the draft is in the final stages of preparation in the Attorney General’s Office and it is intended that it will be published in the coming weeks following approval by Cabinet. 
• The National Public Health Emergency Team on Tuesday, 6^th April 2021 reported:
  • A total of 4,727 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. 
  • A total of 238,907 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, 443 new cases were confirmed on the 5^th April 2021. 
  • The 7-day incidence rate is 73.2. 
  • The COVID-19 Dashboard provides the most up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community. 
• IFA is a COVID Vaccine Partner and part of the Community Network. The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, and more than 819,676 vaccines have been administered as of the 29th March 2021. 
  • Vaccination of people aged over 70 continues, with all who are aged over 70 due to have received their first dose by mid-April. 
  • Group 4 vaccinations, for people aged 16-69 with certain health conditions that put them at very high risk is underway. 
  • Vaccines will be provided to all people aged 65-69 through HSE vaccination centres, starting later in April. 
  • Check www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine or you can phone HSE team on 1850 24 1850/01 240 8787 or email [email protected].
• The following updates relate to Health and Safety: 
  • There have been 3 farm fatalities officially recorded by HSA to date. To keep up to date on farm fatalities click here.
  • Agri Aware, AgriKids and Irish Farmers Association (IFA), supported by FBD Trust have teamed up to bring the Farm Safe Schools pilot programme to Irish classrooms. 23 children have died on Irish farms over the last decade as a result of farm accidents. The interactive educational programme is designed to assist teachers in educating their students about the potential dangers associated with farming and agriculture, and is part of a national strategy, aimed at reducing the number of accidents on farms and in the countryside.  
  • IFA attended Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) meeting to discuss the development of three-year Farm Safety Action Plan. Each of the five working groups provided updates.  IFA has representation on two sub-group in the FSPAC; Livestock (Brendan Golden) and Health & Vulnerable People (C. Farrell).
  • There has been one meeting of the IFA Safety Working Group to develop a 2021 plan with focus on improved knowledge sharing at County Executives and digital plan for Farm Safety Week. The second meeting is planned for 13^th April 2021. 
  • Alma Jordan (AgriKids) will be joining the IFA team on a part-time basis as Health and Safety officer to promote and increase awareness of health and safety risks on farm. Alma will be commencing on the 18^th April 2021. 
  • IFA have agreed to participate on the Advisory Board of a research project AGRI-Angel under the coordination of Waterford Institute of Technology. 

• IFA and Safeguarding Ireland are working together to develop a leaflet on future planning guide for farmers and farm families, which is not just focused on succession but also well-being as you age. 
• The committee participated in GMIT research on Tick & Tick-borne disease awareness among Irish farmers. To participate in the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LYHDYC6.

Any EU/COPA developments

• The number of women in farming has been slowly increasing in recent years. The most recent data (Eurostat 2016) suggests that, on average, 29% of farms across the EU are managed by a woman. But this data masks some considerable differences between countries.
• In Lithuania and Latvia, nearly half of all farms are managed by a woman. By contrast, in Malta, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands the proportion of female farm managers does not exceed 10%. In Ireland 11% of farms are managed by a woman.

Upcoming issues

• Maintain pressure on Minister Butler to progress amendment to Fair Deal legislation. 
• Develop farm safety plan for 2021. 
• IFA & Safeguarding Ireland to develop a future planning guidance document.