increase font size
Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson Jeanette Maxwell will discuss the work to improve quad bike safety on farms and, more importantly, the Federation's steps towards reducing the rural suicide rate in FarmSafe's rural safety conference in Wellington next week.
"The politicians, policy makers and influential agri-business people attending the Rural Safety – A Forward Focus conference next Wednesday will have a very good opportunity to discuss what is happening with on-farm safety and what can be done to improve it," Maxwell says.
"I am looking forward to hearing from Coroner Brandt Shortland about the coronial inquiry into quad bike safety and then participating in the stakeholder discussion on the future of quad bike safety afterwards."
Maxwell says Federated Farmers has made several recommendations on this issue to various taskforces, committees and consultations about what we believe can be done to encourage safer use of these ubiquitous farm tools.
"However, I think the afternoon session, which is devoted to mental health issues – particularly suicide – is even more important. Unfortunately, due to the taboos around reporting on suicide and mental health, the fact that for every on-farm quad bike death 18 rural people kill themselves is not widely known," she says.
"Suicide is probably the major issue in the rural health and safety sector and, for a number of understandable reasons it is one of the least reported. However, Federated Farmers is part of a new wellbeing working group to bring the issue out into the open so people are better equipped to deal with depression.
"I hope the discussions and information shared at this conference will go a long way towards bringing this long ignored issue out into the open," Maxwell says.
An evolution of ATV and quad rollover protection, the AR quad safety bar uses compressed gas and an electronic control system to offer fully automated, pneumatic roll-over protection – with full deployment in less than 250 milliseconds.
A petition to get seat belts on school buses has been presented to Parliament.
OPINION: There is no doubt that 2020 has been a challenging year for New Zealand and the world.
Leading New Zealand rural insurer, FMG says nesting birds continue to account for around $700,000 worth of tractor fire claims each year.
Farmers are being warned to check their fuel tanks following a fuel tanker driver being seriously injured on a farm.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
