Federated Farmers says recent research, linking growing up on a farm with an increased chance of developing blood cancers as an adult, should act as a reminder for the need for good farming practices.

Last week, Massey University published findings of a study into New Zealand deaths between 1998 and 2003.

They found that growing up on a livestock farm led to a 22 percent higher chance of developing a blood cancer such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hogkin’s lymphoma.

And for kids who grew up on a chook farm, the research suggested their odds of developing a blood cancer, were three times higher than the general population.

Federated Federation vice president, William Rolleston, says the findings of the public health team from Massey University’s need further investigation before any firm links could be conclusively drawn, or alternatively, ruled out.

“Well I mean it’s just one piece in a jigsaw puzzle really, and that’s the way these science investigations work.

“You know you see a link, you then you have to establish whether that’s chance or whether it’s a pattern, an established link, and you then have to look overseas at other farming situations.”

But at the same time Mr. Rolleston says the findings are a reminder of the need for farmers to stay on top of their health and safety practices.

“Just in terms of dealing with chemicals you know, general health and safety issues around about the farm as simple as you know as coming in and washing your hands before you have your lunch, if you’ve been dealing with animals.”