Written question WQ86416

We continue to support farmers to invest in equipment that contributes towards the safe handling, weighing and treatment of animals. In 2022 over £5.0m of support was offered through our Small Grants – Efficiency scheme towards equipment, such as, cattle crushes, automatic weighing and identification equipment, fixed and mobile handling systems and cameras for monitoring livestock. All of these items, and others, contribute towards a safer operating environment for farmers, especially in situations where a farmer or farm worker is working alone.

In March 2018, £46,000 was allocated to support the work of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, a collaboration of key agricultural stakeholder organisations in Wales, to promote good health and safety practice on farm, including a series of hard-hitting adverts on S4C. A total of 185 advertisement slots were funded, reaching a total of 2,372,440 individuals.

In March 2021, a further £69,000 was allocated to the Partnership to fund webinars on topics such as working with animals, farm machinery and children on farm. At the Winter Fair I will be launching a new campaign to highlight the dangers of being on a farm to primary school children. There are also plans to hold a farm safety awareness roadshow in 2023.

The Farming Connect Mentoring programme also provides farmers with access to a Mentor which has a specific focus on farm health and safety. The Mentors offer guidance and help to identify risks, eliminate hazards, and reduce the risk of on farm accidents. Over 70 farmers are currently being.