The Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA) has been tasked 38 times to farm-related incidents and, in total, has responded to 233 calls since the start of the year.

These stark statistics coincide with the announcement, this morning, of a partnership between Macra na Feirme and the air ambulance ahead of a busy summer season.

Both bodies have launched a joint campaign to appeal to all rural communities to exercise care as activity in rural Ireland increases during the summer months.

A busy silage season, increased traffic on the roads, and more children moving about farms all combine to present an increased likelihood of serious incidents that could result in the ICAA being tasked to rural locations.

ICAA statistics show that the summer months are the busiest for the heli-med service, with the highest number of callouts during 2020 occurring in July.

Road traffic accidents account for the most incidents, with farm accidents and falls from heights requiring a regular response from the Millstreet-based service.

The 38 farming-related taskings so far in 2021 have involved PTOs, machinery, falls from heights and animal attacks.

The ICAA works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service, and is within 30 minutes' flying time of any location in Munster.

While Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford are the counties most likely to require the air ambulance, the helicopter was also tasked to counties Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow and Galway so far in 2021.

The ICAA and Macra na Feirme are launching a social-media campaign to highlight that, while the service is available to those in need, exercising care and engaging in best practice can dramatically reduce the risk of incident.

John Keane, president of Macra na Feirme said:

"Farmers are aware of the many dangers on farm, and always endeavour to ensure these risks are mitigated.

"Not every accident will result in death, but many cause serious injury and all cause disruption. We are grateful that the Irish Community Air Ambulance service can respond, but the question for farmers is simple. How would you feel if it had to land in one of your fields?”

CEO of the ICAA, Michéal Sheridan said: “Our crew is ready to respond to every call, but we see from our taskings last summer that June and July are amongst our busiest months.

"Irish farms are a great place to land a helicopter - you just don’t want it to be our air ambulance.”

The campaign has also been given support by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon who said: “I would like to thank the Irish Community Air Ambulance and Macra na Feirme for undertaking this campaign, which chimes very much with the Government’s 'Be Summer Ready' campaign.

"Tragically every year farming accounts for over 40% of all fatal workplace incidents nationwide. It is time for a cultural change towards farm safety, where we all play our part in driving down the unacceptably high levels of farm safety incidents."