Elliott challenges DAERA for 'discriminating against older farmers'

​A UUP MLA has challenged the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for the “discriminatory nature of grant applications towards older farmers”.
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​Ulster Unionist Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson, Tom Elliott, said: “Following the publication of a recent health and safety report, which highlighted that 28 fatalities involved 18-65 years old males, there were 14 men over 65 killed in the agriculture sector. This demonstrates that elderly farmers are most at risk from fatal work accidents.

“Many of the grants available to improve farms, especially farm equipment and buildings, give special consideration to young farmers under the age of 40, which we understand the reasons for. But what about our older farmers who face the same challenges?”

He continued: “In the report, it stated that many of the accidents were individuals falling from a height. Given that the largest demographic of farmers is that of over 40, many of an older generation are being discriminated against in the application rounds and thus, their farm buildings are greatly defected, especially tin roofs. This leads to a far greater risk of their safety compared to those of a younger generation, as many of these roofs will be some form of patch job by the farmers themselves.

Ulster Unionist Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Tom ElliottUlster Unionist Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Tom Elliott
Ulster Unionist Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson Tom Elliott

“Therefore, I would ask DAREA to give due consideration in future application rounds with the award of additional points within grant applications to older farmers for health and safety aspects of the funding.”

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