The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is encouraging farmers and farming families across the country to make safety a priority, as Farm Safety Week begins today, Monday 20 July.
The campaign is led by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) and is supported by the IFA in Ireland.
2026 marks the 14th year of the initiative, which has grown into one of the farming sector's largest safety-awareness campaigns and is backed by more than 500 partner organisations across the UK and Ireland.
Farm Safety Week reminds everyone involved in farming that while risks cannot be eliminated entirely, many incidents can be prevented through planning, awareness and adopting safe working practices.
The campaign was officially launched at the recent Teagasc beef open day by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for farm safety Niall Collins; IFA president Francie Gorman and IFA farm family and social affairs chair Teresa Roche.
"Put safety first"
“Sometimes, there is a very small margin between a close call and a serious or fatal injury," minister Collins said. "I am asking farmers to always put safety first; your livelihood, your safety and that of your family, depends on you avoiding taking risks. Never take shortcuts or depend on luck when it comes to farm safety.”
Farm Safety Week serves as an important reminder that every farmer has a role to play in creating a safer working environment, Francie Gorman said: "No job on the farm is worth a life. As farmers, we face unique risks every day, but we also have the power to make safer choices.
"This week, I urge every farming family to stop, think and take action to prevent accidents. Let's protect ourselves, our loved ones and our future,” he added.
The number of farm accidents and fatalities remains far too high, Teresa Roche IFA farm family and social affairs chair highlighted.
"Farm Safety Week is a chance for all of us to take stock, change habits and put safety at the heart of everything we do," she said. "One accident is one too many.”
PTO replacement cover grants
The National Farm Safety Measure has been reintroduced in 2026 by the Department of Agriculture to incentivise the purchase and use of PTO shaft covers, in an effort to protect farmers and machinery operators from serious and fatal injuries.
The measure will provide a financial contribution to participating farmers for a maximum of four PTO shaft covers.
The grant aid will be at a rate of 60% subject to a maximum eligible cost of €100 per PTO shaft cover.