FARMERS are facing profound changes that could worsen already alarming levels of ill-health in the industry, a conference was told.

They must be prepared to seek help with the inevitable pressures resulting from Britain’s departure from the European Union, said Charles Smith, chief executive of the Farming Community Network.

“Big changes are on the way for the farming community,” he warned.

Mr Smith was speaking at the Three Counties Farming Conference at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, where other speakers included NFU president Minette Batters, Neil Parish MP and Liz Bowles, head of farming at the Soil Association.

He said farmers faced many occupational stresses. Among them were long hours, physically and mentally demanding work, loneliness and isolation, bureaucracy, uncontrollable factors such as the weather and an uncertain future.

Eight-one per cent of farmers have trouble sleeping some or all of the time, 45 per cent felt they were not in good mental health, and 36 per cent felt they were not in good physical health, according to a survey by Farmers Weekly that was quoted by Mr Smith.

More than one farmer a week in the country dies by suicide, he said.

Mr Smith also challenged perceptions that farming was generally well-rewarded.

Twenty-five per cent of farming families live below the poverty line, he said.

Mr Smith said farmers should be alert to the telltale signs of poor mental health.

They include eating more or less than normal, mood swings, poor concentration, disturbed sleep, fatigue and feeling tense, worried or nervous.

He added: “The Government is aware that change in itself can be stressful for many farmers. In fact we have recently had discussions with ministers and with Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) civil servants to outline how that stress may be mitigated to minimise the detrimental impact of the inevitable changes which lie ahead of us will have on our farming community.”

The Farming Community Network is there to help farmers, he said.

Every year it takes on 1,000 new cases, and about 6,000 people a year benefit from its support.

To contact the network call 03000 111999 or email help@fcn.org.uk

  • Later in the conference, Cotswold farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson announced the Three Counties Farmer Awards, which are being promoted by this newspaper.