Farmers urged to ‘take a moment’ as peak injury season approaches
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
WorkSafe has launched a myth-busting series taking aim at the top 10 tall tales doing the rounds about improving health and safety on New Zealand farms.
"There are a lot of misconceptions in the farming community about health and safety, and the role of WorkSafe," says Al McCone, agriculture programme manager at WorkSafe.
"We're aiming to cut through the confusion so farmers can get the facts.
"We've been talking to farmers and listening to their feedback about what they're hearing about health and safety, such as banning quadbikes, banishing kids from the farm and mountains of new paperwork. The good news is - none of that is true."
He says WorkSafe have sorted fact from fiction for the myth-busting series, so farmers can be more clear about what they need to do to keep themselves, their families and workers, healthy and safe.
McCone says many farmers are surprised to hear the claims they've heard are in fact untrue.
"The launch of our farming health and safety campaign, Safer Farms, has sparked some vigorous debate but busting these myths will go a long way to putting some of the rumours to rest so farmers can concentrate on making farms safe and healthy places to work and live."
www.saferfarms.org.nz
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.

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