Farm Family Council Report February 2026

Activity since last National Council

• There have been 24 farm fatalities officially recorded by HSA in 2025. 
  • Between 2020 and 2024, 72 fatalities occurred, with 39% involving vehicles, 18% due to falls, 18% involving livestock, 7% machinery-related, and 5% due to drowning.
  • Those over 65 years of age account for 56% of fatalities, while 6% involve children under 18, highlighting the risks to older farmers and young people on farms. Teagasc estimates approximately 4,500 farm accidents annually, with 80% requiring medical treatment
  • These figures reinforce the importance of ongoing vigilance and safe practices on farms. Farmers and farm families are urged to assess risks regularly, maintain equipment, and take extra care when working with vehicles, livestock, at heights, and near water to help prevent serious injury or loss of life.
• As Spring calving season and slurry season is in full swing, IFA are encouraging farmers to be extra safety conscious around this time.
• Mental health and wellbeing remain important considerations for the farming sector.
  • January and the months ahead can place increased demands on farmers, due to seasonal workloads, financial pressures, and weather-related challenges. These factors can contribute to heightened stress levels and fatigue. Farmers are encouraged to prioritise their wellbeing, manage workloads where possible, and engage with available support networks and services. Maintaining good mental health is an important element of overall farm safety, productivity, and quality of life within rural communities.

• Over 15,000 free counselling sessions to be provided to men annually
  • Supports to be made available through GPs and though a national marketing campaign targeting men directly from September 2025
• Fair Deal Scheme -Families to get extra six months to repay care costs after resident’s death. 
  • Currently, families have 12 months to repay the ancillary State support loan before interest begins to accrue. 
  • This change extends the repayment period to 18 months, a welcome measure that offers greater flexibility and allows families more time to settle the outstanding costs.
• The Farm Family Committee and the UFU Rural Affairs Committee travelled to Brussels as part of a joint collaborative engagement to strengthen representation of farm families at EU level.
  • The visit provided an important opportunity for both committees to work together, share perspectives, and engage directly with EU institutions and stakeholders on issues impacting rural communities and family farming.
• 2026 has been designated as the Year of Women Farmers, recognising the vital contribution women make to agriculture and rural communities. Women play a central role in farm management, decision-making, and in supporting the long-term sustainability of the sector.
  • This designation presents an important opportunity to further acknowledge and support women farmers, enhance equality and visibility within agriculture, and encourage greater participation in training, leadership, and innovation initiatives.
  • IFA will continue to prioritise this area throughout 2026, supporting actions and initiatives that recognise, promote, and strengthen the role of women in farming and rural life.
• IFA took part in a stakeholder consultation meeting on the revalidation of Teagasc Agricultural Courses. 
• IFA met with Minister Burke to discuss access to finance for females in agriculture and rural areas. 
• IFA attended the Farm Safety Partnership joint meeting 

Any EU/COPA developments

• IFA attended the Copa Cogeca Women Innovation Awards. The winner of the 2025 awards was Cheryl Poole, a dairy farmer from Co Wexford. 
• IFA Farm Family Chair Teresa Roche was elected as Vice Chair of Copa Cogeca Women’s Committee.

Upcoming issues

• IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Committee will meet on the 4^th March in the Farm Centre.