Mr Roberts commented that the Command Paper identifies increased productivity as a key area for agriculture post-Brexit, and told MPs that investment in equipment and training to keep workers safe is vital in achieving this.
Prior to the APPG, written evidence was submitted which stated that 16% of all fatalities in agriculture are due to falling from a height, and that the vast majority of these accidents took place while victims were engaged in roof work.
After presenting the evidence to the group, Mr Roberts said: “Falls from height account for a large proportion of agricultural fatalities. These deaths are tragic for the families involved and it goes without saying that they have a huge impact on farm businesses and the rural communities in which we live and work.
“A key element in achieving an increase in agricultural productivity is to properly safeguard the people who work on farms, and we must get better at doing this.
“For farmers, it is our attitude of ‘it won’t happen to me’ that is our greatest barrier to improving safety and wellbeing. This culture has to change, and our behaviours along with it.”