The 41st International Colloquium of the International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in Agriculture will take place on 25-27 June 2025 at the Congress Center of the University of Agriculture in Cracow, Poland. The subject of the Colloquium is: Prevention’s Role in Advancing Social Sustainability in Agriculture. This will include one-and-a-half day plenary part and technical visit. The Colloquium is organized by the International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in Agriculture in cooperation with the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS) from Poland, the "SafeHabitus: Strengthening Farm Health and Safety Knowledge Innovation Systems" multi-actor project, the University of Agriculture in Krakow, the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute and the State Labour Inspection.
Prevention in agriculture plays a key role in realizing sustainability that takes into account ecological, social and economic needs. Preventive measures help minimize the negative impacts of agricultural production on the environment, such as water pollution, soil degradation and loss of biodiversity. Introducing sustainable practices, such as crop rotation, using organic fertilizers, protecting soil from erosion, and reducing pesticide use, allows long-term food production in harmony with nature.
At the same time, prevention improves farmers' quality of life by increasing farm efficiency and reducing the costs associated with repairing environmental damage. In the context of climate change, prevention can also help agriculture adapt to new weather conditions, protecting crops from the adverse effects of extreme meteorological events. In this way, prevention becomes the foundation of responsible agricultural production, while promoting the conservation of natural resources and the well-being of farming communities.
Many events of this decade brought to attention matters of mental health and well-being of farmers, and agricultural sector workers. Climate changes, pandemic-related restraints, economic pressure and political instability comprise a great challenge to this sector. It is a current and developing world-wide trend to promote well-being and assure mental health support and resources to overcome occuring issues.
The Colloquium is mainly addressed to employers and employees from agriculture sector, occupational safety experts, researchers, work medicals and experts from the area of public health. The conference organizers would especially welcome farmers, OSH experts, national institutions, social partners, testing and certification bodies.
The Colloquium is organized in a hybrid format. There is no conference fee for either personal or virtual participation, however on-site attendance is limited.
The language of the Colloquium will be English and Polish.
The objective of the Colloquium is to present recent achievements and highlight good practices regarding various aspects of prevention in agriculture, including the following topics:
- OSH challenges and technologies
- different roles of society in developing a safety culture
- rehabilitation, return to work,
- prevention education
- common agricultural policy
- combating digital exclusion in rural areas
- climate change, migrants
- social sustainability in agriculture
- new approches: ESG (environmental, social governance)
- menthal health
- safety, health and well-being
If you are interested in giving a speech, please contact the Section Secretariat:
[email protected]
More details of the event can be found on the KRUS website.
Please save the dates of the Colloquium!