Ulster Unionist MLAs Tom Elliott and Jo-Anne Dobson have called for an investigation to be conducted into the provision of breathing support masks for farmers who are engaged in the mixing and spreading of slurry.

Mr Elliott, the Party Environment spokesperson said:

“Within the farming community we are very well aware of the dangers that many of our activities involve. One of the greatest dangers is the mixing of livestock slurry, especially when the farmer is within an enclosed house during the mixing period.”

Ulster Unionist Agriculture & Rural Development spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson said:

 “A number of farmers have died over past few years due to the gas emissions from this slurry mixing operation. The recent tragedy which befell the Spence family, and which is still very much on our minds, has brought the extreme seriousness of the situation home to most people in the community, especially farmers.

“As someone from the farming community I know only too well the risks involved in slurry mixing and indeed a wide range of farming activities.

“I have been approached recently by farmers and others if there is any type of measures that could be put in place to stop the risk of slurry gas deaths. Some within the field of health and safety have said that the only absolutely safe way is the use of some form of breathing apparatus.”

Mr Elliott continued: “There is no way that farmers could be reasonably be expected to wear the heavy breathing equipment used by emergency services. However I am sure there is an opportunity for investigation and exploration of some type of breathing support masks that would give the farmer a limited time period of breathing security.

“There is a need to ensure that there would be warning mechanisms to inform the mask user that the oxygen was nearing an end so that the person could then take appropriate action.”

Mrs Dobson concluded: “There have been so many deaths due to the slurry gas it is an absolute necessity that a system is put in place to protect farmers. A breathing support mask with a small oxygen bottle would give significant protection for farmers, would be neat and lightweight and hopefully cost efficient.

“There is an opportunity for DARD to put some of their resources, through the Farm Modernisation Programme or other funding sources to good use and investigate this measure, which should be a light-weight, lifesaving mechanism as a matter of urgency.”