Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of agricultural machinery accidents on the rural economy; and if she will consider including AI-driven safety equipment within the scope of future Farming Equipment and Technology Fund grants.

The Government recognises the importance of reducing agricultural machinery accidents, no specific assessment has been made on its impact on the rural economy. As announced, FETF 2026 is intended to be the final round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. The Government wishes to build on what has worked well across all its grant schemes with the aim of bringing the strongest elements together from 2027. As part of this work, it will look at the specific types of equipment and technology that could be included, including consideration of the role of AI-driven safety equipment.