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The number of farm safety inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has dropped by over half for the first half of 2020.
Figures show that just 539 inspections were carried out between 1 January and 8 June this year. In comparison, 1,190 inspections were carried out over the same period last year.
The information was revealed in a parliamentary question put to Minister for Business Heather Humphreys by Sinn Féin TD Patricia Ryan.
Minister Humphreys said that the information had to be considered in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions.
Inspectors
“Currently the number of inspectors available to carry out farm inspections as part of their inspection programme is 40,” the minister said.
“The Deputy should note that these Inspectors are assigned inspections in several different sectors including the agricultural sector.”
Just 59 inspections were carried out between 1 March and 8 June this year.
Farming remains one of the industries with the highest mortality rate in the country. Some 12 people have lost their lives in the farming community this year to date.
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