Laois based Embrace FARM calls for more accurate data on the causes and impacts of death and injury on Irish farms

At Embrace FARM’s Encircle Conference in Tullamore, attendees heard that more data is needed on the causes and impacts of death and injury on farms in order to provide adequate support to Irish farm families.

The Laois based organisation, which this year marks 10 years since it was founded, has recently expanded its support to families affected by all types of sudden death or trauma on farm, including suicide.  

The event was officially opened by Minister of State at the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, who said: “Fatal and life-changing incidents can have devastating impacts on farm families. Embrace FARM provides such an important service to the farming community supporting families impacted by all types of serious and sudden traumas.  

“The idea behind European Innovation Partnerships is that they enable farmers and experts to collaborate on innovative approaches to address farm safety, health and wellbeing challenges on Irish farms. The Encircle project has utilised and built on Embrace FARM’s existing knowledge and experience and that of its project partners to provide a range of invaluable support and information to those affected.” 

In reviewing the impact of the Encircle Programme which Embrace FARM launched last year, Norma Rohan co-founder of Embrace FARM said, “In one year almost 20% of our supports are now directed to sudden deaths other than farm accidents such as sudden medical event or suicide, which shows the demand for these kind of services.

"The challenge however is that there is limited data available to accurately capture this as both the HSA and Teagasc figures only account for farm accidents. We have all heard anecdotal stories of farmers dying by suicide in our communities, yet the statistics do not reflect that. 

"There is work to be done here and we would advocate for a review of more accurate recording of sudden death and injury by occupation farmer both fulltime and part-time. 

The interactive event, hosted by former RTE Broadcaster Ciaran Mullooly, featured a number of panel discussions and encouraged participation and conversation from agri-business on the continued services needed by farm families while highlighting how the agri sector can work to ensure that every family is supported.  

Closing the event, Brian Rohan, co-founder of Embrace FARM said, “Suicide in small areas of rural Ireland is a huge issue. As is the impact of people dying prematurely ahead of their years due to sudden ill health or other off-farm incidents.

"We must and we need to support our farm family businesses when sudden crises hits. Farming businesses are the backbone of rural Ireland and are a major contributor to the Irish economy.

"With the many opportunities and challenges that comes with agriculture today in times of sudden death and loss, to support one another is crucial to keep the wheels turning and the grassroots ethos of our sector intact.