In its annual report, published on Wednesday, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) said that the number of deaths on farms fell significantly over 2013/14, marking an improvement after a tragically high number the previous year and an "unprecedented" period for the industry in the 18 months to July 2012.

Even so, farm safety continues to be the biggest challenge facing workplace health and safety in Northern Ireland.

The number of fatalities in the agriculture sector fell to four, compared to 11 in the previous year, though HSENI officials lamented that agriculture still accounts for almost half of all work related deaths in Northern Ireland.  

Keith Morrison, HSENI Chief Executive, commented, "This year again saw HSENI focus much of our attention and resources on farm safety as a result of seeing an increasing trend in work-related farm fatalities in recent years.

"The reduction in fatalities during 2013/14 is very encouraging but there is certainly no room for complacency, particularly given that this year to date has already sadly witnessed another four fatalities in agriculture. We must collectively continue to do all we can to ensure that farm deaths and accidents become a thing of the past."