A minute’s silence is to be observed at all marts nationwide this week in remembrance of loved ones who have been killed in farming accidents.
The aim is to promote safety awareness of farm safety among the farming community, according to the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).
National Marts Farm Safety Awareness and Remembrance Day is supported by ICOS, The Association of Livestock Marts, FBD, the Health and Safety Authority, the Farm Safety Partnership and Embrace, the farm accident support network.
Michael Spellman, Chairman, ICOS National Marts, says farmers do their tasks day in and day out, so it is sometimes understandably that a routine can take hold.
Bur Mr Spellman says staying safe on the farm requires vigilance and prevention.
“Safety must not be left to chance,” he adds.
He has expressed sympathy and solidarity on behalf of the co-operative livestock farming community to the families of 197 people, including children, who were killed in farming accidents between 2007 and 2016.
20 people have already lost their lives this year in farming accidents.
Mr Spellman says they are asking all farmers to redouble their commitment to farm safety, urging farmers to ask for help if needed and to stop taking risks.
Meanwhile, IFA President Joe Healy says market demand for beef is very strong across export markets in the UK and Continental Europe.
But he says this must be reflected in higher prices on offer from the factories.
He said the Christmas trade is now kicking in and factories need the stock.
But he says farmers are not parting with cattle at the lower quoted prices on offer from some factories and are insisting and getting a base price of €3.75/kg for steers and €3.85/kg for heifers.
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