LMC committed to improving on farm health and safety standards

This year’s ‘Mind Your Head’ campaign – a week designated to highlighting the mental and physical health challenges facing farmers - might be over. But the essential work of helping producers to address these crucially important matters on a daily basis continues apace.
From left, Camilla Mackey, HSENI Agri Inspector; Harry Sinclair, HSENI Board Member and Farm Safety Partnership Chairperson; Ian Stevenson, LMC Chief Executive; Bryan Monson, HSENI Deputy Chief Executive at the award of the ‘Highly Commended’ certificate to LMC.From left, Camilla Mackey, HSENI Agri Inspector; Harry Sinclair, HSENI Board Member and Farm Safety Partnership Chairperson; Ian Stevenson, LMC Chief Executive; Bryan Monson, HSENI Deputy Chief Executive at the award of the ‘Highly Commended’ certificate to LMC.
From left, Camilla Mackey, HSENI Agri Inspector; Harry Sinclair, HSENI Board Member and Farm Safety Partnership Chairperson; Ian Stevenson, LMC Chief Executive; Bryan Monson, HSENI Deputy Chief Executive at the award of the ‘Highly Commended’ certificate to LMC.

Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) chief executive office Ian Stevenson believes that all agri stakeholder bodies operating in Northern Ireland must make the promotion of the highest possible farm safety standards an absolute priority.

He said: “Working to secure the highest possible health and safety standards is at the very core of everything we do.

“Take the Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme for Beef and Lamb as a case in point.

“Improved safety standards for both animals and farmers have been built into the scheme over recent years.

“These include the need to have suitable well-maintained livestock handling systems on farm and the provision of slurry storage and mixing facilities which focus on the safety of stock, farmers and farm workers.”

Where mental health issues are concerned LMC recently supported the talks given by Doug Avery in Northern Ireland. Known internationally as the ‘Resilient Farmer’ this New Zealand ‘role model’ has toured the world, telling audiences how he overcame tremendous financial challenges and depression in order to keep his business alive.

His core focus in life is that of assisting other farmers make a similar journey to a more resilient future. He was greeted by large crowds at all the venues he attended in Northern Ireland.

Ian Stevenson continued: “Our farm quality assurance help line and liaison service has evolved into much more than a service that simply deals with queries relating directly to the scheme.

“It also gives farmers an opportunity to discuss other issues they are dealing with. And as the old saying goes: a trouble shared is a trouble halved.”

One of the outstanding success stories associated with the 2019 Balmoral Show was the LMC’s free distribution of ‘high vis’ Farm Quality Assurance Scheme vests to young people coming on to the organisation’s stand.

“This was part of our ongoing commitment to enhance safety standards on local farms, particularly where young people are concerned,” Ian Stevenson confirmed.

“Farm accidents are not inevitable: they are avoidable. A single accident is one too many. LMC is totally committed to playing an active role in making farmers fully aware of the need to think safe at all times.”

LMC is an affiliate member of Northern Ireland’s Farm Safety Partnership (FSP). This year’s contribution by LMC to helping the partnership promote the health, wellbeing and safety of farming families in Northern Ireland was marked by the presentation of a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate to LMC by FSP chairman Harry Sinclair.

“We are delighted to have received this recognition,” said Ian Stevenson.

“The Commission will continue to play an active role as an affiliate member of FSP. Helping to deliver improved health and safety standards on local farms is embedded within our DNA.

“This is a challenge that we will continue to address on a 24:7 basis.”