National Farm Safety Measure 2025

This measure is being introduced by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine to incentivise the purchase and use of PTO shaft covers, which protect farmers and machinery operators from serious and fatal injuries.

Entanglement in power take-off (PTO) shafts has caused fatalities and life-changing injuries on Irish farms. This measure incentivises the purchase of PTO shaft covers to protect both farmers and others from incidents involving PTO shafts.

The measure will provide a financial contribution to participating farmers for a maximum of four PTO shaft covers. The grant aid will be at a rate of 60% subject to a maximum eligible cost of €100 per PTO shaft cover.

To qualify for this measure, you must first submit an Expression of Interest under the National Farm Safety Measure 2025 before purchasing PTO shaft cover(s).

The deadline for submitting claims for payment has been extended to Friday 21 November 2025.

Note: This measure is separate to the National Farm Safety Measures in 2023 and 2024.

For further information on the National Farm Safety Measure 2025, click here

Participants must have submitted a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application in 2025 to be eligible to apply.

Participants must submit an Expression of Interest to the Department before purchasing the eligible equipment.

The Measure will be open for Expressions of Interest from 23 July 2025 to the extended closing date of Friday 21 November 2025.

Claims for payment must be submitted by the extended closing date of Friday 21 November 2025.

PTO shaft covers must meet the requirements of the European Standards EN 12965:2019 and the CE mark must be clearly visible on the PTO shaft cover.

All invoices/receipts must state that the PTO shaft covers purchased meet EN 12965:2019.

Participants in the National Farm Safety Measure 2025 will receive a financial contribution up to 60% of the value of the eligible cost of PTO shaft covers purchased under the Measure up to a maximum of four PTO shaft covers. The maximum eligible cost is €100 per PTO shaft cover.

Participants (or their advisor) must complete an Expression of Interest on www.agfood.ie the Department’s online service by selecting the ‘AgSchemes-Expression of Interest’ and then ‘National Farm Safety Measure 2025’ from the dropdown list.

Further information on farm safety and the PTO shaft cover standards specified in the terms and conditions can be found at www.HSA.ie/farmsafety and

• HSA Information Note on PTO Drive Shafts and their Guards
• HSA Guidance on the Safe Use of Tractors and Machinery on Farms

The Data Protection Notice below can also be viewed on the Department’s website at gov.ie - Data Protection Privacy Notices (www.gov.ie)