Widow whose husband died after falling into slurry pit warns of pressure on farmers
The widow of a farmer who died in a slurry pit accident is highlighting the extreme pressures and safety risks facing agricultural workers in the UK. Recent data shows a decade-high number of farm-related deaths, prompting calls for policy changes regarding slurry management.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the intersection of environmental regulations, mental health, and workplace safety in the agricultural sector.
Image source, Margaret Owen Image caption, Islwyn and Margaret Owen married in 2022 and lived in Llanycil near Bala, north Wales
The widow of a farmer who died after he fell into a slurry pit has spoken about the stresses facing workers after a rise in deaths.
Margaret Owen said the impact of husband Islwyn's death had been brought back to her once again following reports that a father and son had died in similar circumstances last week.
She said Islwyn had worried about bad weather and recently-introduced rules on slurry spreading when he had fallen at his farm in Bala, Gwynedd, in 2024.
Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show 22 workers died on British farms during 2025-26 - the highest number in a decade.
Margaret said the number of deaths had made it appear "things are getting worse and worse".
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