The Upper Bann MP has written to the DAERA Minister, highlighting the need for greater availability of Lantra-accredited tractor driving courses delivered by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

She said: “Farm safety must remain a top priority across Northern Ireland, particularly when it comes to teenagers and young people who are living on farms and growing up around agricultural machinery every day.”

The Agriculture (Safety of Children and Young Person’s) Regulation (NI) 2006 and Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) states that any child between the ages of 13 to 15 years-old, who want to drive a tractor engaged in agricultural activities, on private land, must successfully complete a certified course.

The DUP’s Agriculture spokesperson added: “The Safe Operation of Tractors course is aimed at 13 to 15-year-olds, and plays a crucial role in building awareness, responsibility and practical safety skills.

“While I welcome initiatives such as the recently launched, Farm Wiser Farm Longer campaign, which focuses on older farmers, there must also be a stronger emphasis on raising awareness of farm safety among teenagers living and working in rural areas.

“Education is key to preventing accidents and instilling lifelong skills and safe practices.”

Concerned parents have raised the issue with Ms Lockhart. “It is deeply concerning that the number of these courses offered by CAFRE appear to have been reduced in recent years. Previously, the popular three-day course costing £150, was delivered not only during the summer months but also across school holiday periods such as Halloween.

“This offered farming families greater accessibility and flexibility to the necessary training, which is a legal requirement for young teenagers driving tractors on family farms,” she said.

The MP added: “CAFRE’s Greenmount campus is Northern Ireland’s teaching facility for agriculture and horticulture. The County Antrim site has the facilities and the staff to deliver the training, which covers a wide range of aspects, including personal, general and load safety, hitching and unhitching implements, and manoeuvring with trailed and mounted farm equipment.

“Restricting the provision of training, largely to the summer months, risks excluding many young people, who are actively involved in farming, and who would benefit from this essential course.

“Anyone whose thirteenth birthday falls at the end of August, is expected to wait ten months until the course resumes in July the following year. Even after a lengthy wait, parents are reporting that course dates book up quickly, resulting in an even further wait.”

Carla Lockhart MP continued: “While I recognise that other training providers deliver a range of Lantra-accredited courses across Northern Ireland, CAFRE has a leading role to play and should be doing more to actively promote and expand access to the Safe Operation of Tractors course.

“These courses are not about encouraging early driving, they are designed to equip young people with the knowledge to understand machinery, recognise hazards, and act responsibly in a working farm environment. At a time when improving farm safety outcomes is a shared priority, scaling back such opportunities sends the wrong message.”

The MP concluded: “I have written to the Minister to seek clarity on the current level of provision within CAFRE, and to urge an urgent review, with a focus on expanding course availability and reinstating more flexible delivery at regular intervals throughout the year.



“I would like to ensure that every young person who would benefit from this training has the opportunity to take part. Improving awareness today can save lives tomorrow.”