Speaking from Brussels today Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada called on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to extend the deadline for completion of works under the farm safety scheme.
Liadh Ní Riada said:
“The deadline for improvement works to be completed under the Farm Safety Scheme is 31 August, which leaves farmers with little time to finish works designed to make their farms safer workplaces.
“A delay in approving projects and a particularly bad spell of weather have delayed projects and my worry is that many farmers will not meet the deadline for completion and be unable to avail of this important support.
“I am also concerned that the pressure to meet this deadline will put farmers under further stress at this busy time of year. Pushing farmers to complete safety improvements at a time when they are busy and when kids are still on holidays is not safe and is not a good idea.
“I have been meeting with farmers all over Munster and South Leinster in recent months, and my party colleague Midlands North West MEP Matt Carthy has been in regular contact with farmers and with their representatives as a member of the Agriculture Committee. The feedback I’ve been receiving is that Simon Coveney is slow to listen to farmers or to respond to their needs and concerns.
“I am calling on Simon Coveney to give farmers 90 days breathing room on this, and to shift the deadline from August 31st to the end of December."
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