On 22 June 2001 the 89th session of the International Labour Conference adopted a Convention and Recommendation on Safety and Health in Agriculture.
Although agricultural workers are protected by the Plantations Convention, 1958 (No. 110) and agriculture is generally covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), there is no comprehensive international standard dealing with the problems of safety and health in agriculture. The Governing Body therefore decided, at its 271st Session (March 1998), to place an item on this subject on the agenda of the 88th Session (2000) of the International Labour Conference. This item will be addressed under the double-discussion procedure foreseen in article 39 of the Standing Orders of the Conference.
The Office has prepared two reports to serve as a basis for the first discussion. The preliminary report (Safety and Health in Agriculture, Report VI (1), International Labour Conference, 88th Session, 2000) was accompanied by a questionnaire to which Governments were asked to reply, stating reasons for their reply. These replies have been summarized in the second report (V(2)), which also indicates the main points that the Conference may wish to consider.This new international standards intend to contribute to set the framework on which national policies on occupational health and safety in agriculture could be developed.