Farm Regulations

Post date: Oct 15, 2009 2:59:48 PM

The government's response to the McDonald Farm Regulation recommendations came out today and it managed to not mention the AWB even once.

On H&S they were no better -

McDonald Review..4.83 We urge farmers to remember the HSE message “Make the promise: come home safe” and increase their professionalism in awareness of health and safety issues.

Government Response: Yes. We agree with this recommendation. Health and Safety in the farming industry remains a key issue given the accident rate for the industry remains unacceptably high.”

Charlie C (RAAW Rep on HSE): “Is that it? The most dangerous sector in UK! Funding for the ‘Make the Promise’ campaign was withdrawn as one of the first cuts to the HSE this year. Elsewhere in the response, the government talks of ‘Applying “earned recognition” across inspection regimes. We accept the principle of reducing the inspection burden upon those who have a strong track record of compliance and adherence to standards.’ Does this mean there will be more inspections for regular transgressors? I doubt it. There are ever smaller numbers of inspectors – and NONE now designated just to agriculture. The plantation farms which may now avoid inspection are not the most dangerous – it is the smaller family farms. We need more HSE inspectors. The carnage will go on.”