EDM 1668: Mental health in farming (No. 2)

That this House recognises the significant stresses faced by farmers, including rising production costs, lower margins, Government policies and long hours, and acknowledges the negative impact these factors can have on their mental health; notes with concern that 95% of young farmers in the UK consider mental health to be the biggest hidden danger in the industry, and that this may make farmers less likely to assess workplace risks, potentially leading to a higher number of accidents and injuries on farms; further notes that in 2024, farmers under 40 worked an average of 59 hours a week, and that 44% of farmers aged 41–60 worked more than 81 hours in a week; highlights research that working more than nine hours a day gives a one in three chance of having a workplace accident or near miss; urges the Government to recognise the mental health implications of their policies on farmers and the possibility that current decisions may increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries at work; and calls on the Government to increase the farming budget by £1 billion a year and improve access to mental health services in rural areas by supporting the continued roll-out of mental health hubs.