THE Government has been asked what it is doing to protect farmers’ “plummeting” mental health.Ogmore MP, Chris Elmore, raised the issue in the Commons with Farming Minister, Mark Spencer.

He said the Farm Safety Foundation, or “Yellow Wellies” as it is sometimes known, has completed a campaign aimed at improving farmers’ mental health.

He asked Mr Spencer what is being done across Government, and at a devolved level, to develop mental health support schemes for farmers.

Mr Elmore said that, according to the Yellow Wellies survey, farmers’ mental health is plummeting and that there is a need for a UK-wide strategy to offer more support. 

Mr Spencer thanked Mr Elmore for drawing attention to the campaign.

He said: “It is very important that we recognise that mental health is a challenge in rural communities. 

“If someone is working alone for many hours, it can lead to dark thoughts.

“We continue to work with charities in the sector to address the challenges those people face and to give them the support they deserve.”