DEAR SIR: So far, 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. It has also been a dark time for farm safety. Too many people have been killed and hurt on farms over the past few months. Over the years, there has been much debate about farm safety. I have gone to many meetings and conferences. Everyone comes away thinking things are going to be better. It seldom is, or at least not for any length of time. So where is it all going wrong?

Farming is, by its nature, a dangerous type of work. We can not compare sitting at a desk to farming and the safety issues at stake. No one sets out to have an accident. So it is just that – an accident.

Well done to all farmers working away to keep our food chain going during this difficult time

I read a recent article from our IFA president Tim Cullinan where he says farmers need to take on this safety issue themselves and I agree. Add this to the worry of COVID-19 and the climate for something to happen is very much there.

We think of all those who have lost their lives while working on farms. We think of their loved ones who did not even have the comfort of extended family or friends during these hard times we are going through. Well done to all farmers working away to keep our food chain going during this difficult time. And well done to you editor and all at Irish Farmers Journal.