THE rise in deaths of children through farm accidents has prompted an information campaign to reduce such incidents, which killed seven children last year.
Last year saw a big increase in the toll. There were over 5,000 accidents, and more than 500 of these involved children aged under 16.
The campaign, which targets children directly, is being supported jointly by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association and PMPA insurance, which will distribute the material to farm families from its 31 offices throughout the State.
The death total of seven was the highest in recent years. In 1992 and 1993 there were two child deaths and three in 1994. The 1995 figure represented a 133 per cent rise.
Speaking at the announcement of the campaign, the Minister of" State for Agriculture, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, said it was very timely coming as it did as children took their school holidays.
He said the figures for death and injury peaked during the holidays, particularly during summer holidays, and child safety was a priority of the National Task Force on Farm Safety.
"As the main cause of these accidents are tractors, machinery and livestock, farmers should make sure that they use machinery in a safe and proper manner and that children are not in close proximity when it is in use", he said.
He said children should also be made aware that they could not play near slurry pits or any other dangerous areas on the farm. Farmers must also signpost any areas where there were dangerous animals.
The ICMSA deputy president, Mr Pat O'Rourke, said the key to reducing accidents lay with parents and guardians.
"Children should not be allowed to participate in farm activities which parents know are dangerous, and this includes the hazardous practice of allowing children to drive tractors and other machinery on the firm", he said.