Managing land for both food production and nature, requires farmers to have a plethora of different skills in order to do the job. There a far too many to list but of course this includes managing livestock and using machinery and tools through long working days, and often in lone-working environments.

It is a fact that Agriculture has the worst rate of worker fatal injury of all the main industrial sectors. The annual average injury rate over the last five years is around 21 times higher than the all-industry average. All of this to put food on the table for the public.

Recognising an issue that never goes away, The Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network is teaming up with NFU Skipton and Clitheroe Team to hold a “family farm safety evening” at CCM Skipton Auction Mart. It will take place on Thursday 19th February from 6pm.

The evening will cover an extensive range of farm safety related topics including current legislation (all that farmers need to know), farm vehicle safety, including tractors, trailers, quad bikes and also good practice in using mobile farms on the farm.

Teaming up with the National Farmers Union health and safety team, Craven Farm Vets, Carrs Billington, and the North Yorkshire Rural Crime Team, there will be workstations to cover lone workers, safe handling of livestock, and farm security advice. Other farm support organisations including RABI, FCN and Field Nurse will also be on hand for a chat.

Farmer Network Project Manager Carol Moffat says, “Sadly, we all know someone who lost their lives in a farm accident. We understand the pressures that day to day farming puts on farming families, but we need to talk about it more. That is why the Farmer Network is taking the initiative now and we are grateful to the DEFRA Welfare Fund for supporting this event “.

Yorkshire Dales Farmer Network Chair Richard Stockdale who farms with his family at Burnsall in Wharfedale urges farmers to attend the evening. He says “I hope families will come along on the night. We are never too old to learn and farm safety applies to every generation young and old. If just one farm accident is prevented through our joint event, then it will be worthwhile”.

A free buffet supper will be provided at the start of the evening. It is essential that farmers book their place.

Book on EventBrite https://bit.ly/SAFETY19FEB or email admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.
Certificates will be given to attendees at the end of the evening.