Tough new measures to curb rising farmplace accidents will result in children being banned from travelling on tractors or other farm machinery.
Its reportedly one of a number of sweeping powers being given to the Health and Safety Authority which mean farmers can be prosecuted for a range of breaches, including carrying children under 7 in tractor cabs
There will also be a focus on uncovered slurry pits.
There have been 24 farm deaths this year, almost three quarters of which were as a result of vehicles and machinery accidents.
Pat O'Toole from the Irish Farmers Journal believes the ban on children in tractors will be a very unpopular measure with farmers
While accepting that there is an issue with farm safety he says if the tractor has a passenger seat and a seat belt it should not be an issue.
