FARMERS and agricultural workers are suffering from a worryingly higher level of physical and mental health problems than the general UK population.

A major survey of thousands of people living and working in farming has found that a higher proportion are experiencing pain, mobility problems and anxiety and depression than in other walks of life.

Researchers have described the results as 'compelling evidence' that agriculture's physical and mental health issues need special attention, to both protect farmers' wellbeing and ensure the future sustainability of UK food production.

The study, conducted by the University of Exeter, surveyed 15,296 people living and working in agriculture in England and Wales about their health and wellbeing, and found that nearly a quarter of them reported problems with mobility; 21% reported problems with performing their usual activities; 52% reported moderate or extreme problems with pain/discomfort; and 31% reported problems with anxiety/depression.

Within that, women reported fewer problems with mobility, self-care, performing usual activities and pain/discomfort than men – but more problems with anxiety and depression.

A total of 64% of the respondents said that they had experienced farm-related ‘pain in muscles/joints etc’, and 16% had sustained a non-fatal injury in the past five years.

The research has been published by Exeter's Dr Rebecca Wheeler and Professor Matt Lobley. Dr Wheeler said: “Clearly we surveyed people during the pandemic and coronavirus has had an impact, but this doesn’t account for all of the disparities we found. This is part of a growing body of evidence about the significant mental and physical health problems among farmers and the link with personal, family and business-related challenges commonly faced by members of this community.

Read more: Mental Health is not a taboo topic for our young farmers

“The high levels of self-reported anxiety/depression among working-aged people in our sample might be explained by the numerous drivers of farm and business-related stress reported by respondents, including those associated with workload, regulatory demands and paperwork, bad weather, disease, social isolation and maintaining economic viability.”

On the plus side, respondents reported fewer problems with mobility and self-care than the wider population, particularly in the older age groups. This could suggest that farm work positively contributes to physical fitness later in life but it could also be a consequence of the requirement for a certain level of fitness in order to stay in agriculture.

Professor Lobley said: “This particular piece of research forms part of a larger body of work conducted by the CRPR in recent years and provides further compelling evidence of the need to understand and address both physical and mental health issues among people living and working in agriculture. The results should be seen as an imperative for action as, ultimately, a sustainable and resilient food system requires a healthy agricultural workforce able to maintain and improve production without detriment to themselves and their families.”