Telly star Jimmy Doherty has called for urgent Government action to tackle farming’s soaring stress and suicide rate.
Most farmers say mental health is the biggest hidden issue they face – and shockingly, 36 in England and Wales took their own lives in 2021.
Jimmy, 47, who presents Channel 4 show Jimmy’s Farm, said he is not surprised men and women working in agriculture are feeling the strain as costs rocket and subsidies are slashed.
He said: “Everything has gone up – our business has had to pay an extra £100,000 this year alone to cover costs, and that’s a real pressure farmers are facing up and down the country.”
Jimmy, a childhood pal of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, added: “We only speak about the importance of our farmers when there is a war.
“But what we forget is farming is the cornerstone of our civilisation and for the Government not to realise that is at its own peril.” The pressures driving farmers to despair include the price of fertiliser rocketing by 134% last year, according to the UK’s largest agricultural buying group, AF.
The cost of red diesel for farm vehicles is up 43%. And the Govern-ment’s Basic Payment Scheme, offering yearly grants to support rural landowners, is being reduced. Farmers borrowing £30,000 have seen payments slashed by 5%, with further cuts on larger sums.
Tory MP Alicia Kearns said: “It is our farmers who are most under-appreciated and under-discussed.
“They are the agricultural backbone of our nation and they are under a tremendous amount of pressure.”
Among those feeling the pressure is Matt Bradley, a cattle farmer based near Richmond, North Yorks.
The 50-year-old has worked the same land for 25 years.
But spiralling costs have hit the business hard and Matt is now grappling with severe anxiety. His partner Sarah Knowlson, 52, said: “Our electricity bill has doubled in the last quarter and the situation is killing Matt.
“He suffers really badly with depression and anxiety, and at the moment he’s hitting rock bottom. Matt can’t afford to work but he can’t afford not to work. We’re really worried that the farm will collapse.”
According to the Farm Safety Foundation, 94% of farmers say mental health is the biggest hidden issue they face – up from 84% in 2019.
A National Farmers Union poll also found almost one in six pig producers have quit the industry in the past six months. And a third of arable farmers plan to reduce crops next season.
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: “Urgent action is needed because the impact spiralling costs are having on farmers and their businesses is heartbreaking.
“Farmers are dying to put food on our plates – they’re dying to feed us.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was contacted for comment.
- Farmers with mental health issues can contact The Farming Community Network on 0300 0111999
- More support is available at The Prince’s Countryside Fund, visit princescountrysidefund.org.uk
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
