LIVESTOCK producers are taking a proactive approach to farm safety this Christmas with beef and sheep farmers leading the pack in taking up the Quad Bike Safety Rebate Scheme.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has so far given away $544,940 in rebates to farmers hoping to fit out their quad bikes with protection devices to minimise the risk of injury.
Of the 635 rebates claimed by farmers, half have been handed to livestock producers, with beef producers representing 41 per cent of applicants and sheep producers making up 9 per cent.
“It’s very encouraging to see such a high uptake of the rebate offer so far, but it goes to show the value farmers place on maintaining a safe work environment,” VFF Livestock President Leonard Vallance said.
VFF statistics reveal dairy farmers make up 26 per cent of applicants, while mixed farmers represent 20 per cent, horticulture growers 3.7 per cent and pig farmers less than one per cent.
Quad roll bars have proven the most popular item, with 62 per cent of applicants opting to claim rebates of up to $600 by purchasing either the Quadbar or ATV Lifeguard, while the remaining 38 per cent have applied for rebates on alternative vehicles like side-by-sides or small utilities.
The VFF has encouraged farmers to give the gift of farm safety this Christmas by purchasing quad bike protection and taking advantage of the rebate program.
“Christmas is a busy time for farmers, but it can be a deadly time of year if safety measures aren’t put in place to protect workers,” Mr Vallance said.
“We need to do everything we can to minimise the risk of injury on the farm, and quad bikes are becoming an essential piece of farm equipment, so investing in quad protection is a good place to start.”
The $6 million Quad Safety Rebate Program opened at the start of October and will run for two years or until funding is exhausted. The VFF expects to award rebates to 5000 farmers over this period.
