Sir, – Firstly, I would like to thank the author of last week’s letter on mental health issues in agriculture. He/she – like so many others – must be congratulated for taking the time and effort to highlight these issues.

Sadly, some organisations can be blinded by their own agenda and walk away from problem. It reminded me of the CEO of the Post Office when up to 700 sub-postmasters were found guilty of fraud – when they were actually innocent – as a result of computer program fault 15 years or so ago.

Some were sent to prison, some took their own lives, with many more having their lives ruined, including jobs and marriages. The management chose to just walk away.

Like many others, I listened intently to the three assurance organisations (SQC, QMS and Red Tractor) presenting their opinions at the NFUS' national agm, last Friday.

It was clearly noted, given the subsequent audience comments and questions that were related to farmers’ concerns about the effect of two of these organisations’ inspections upon their own mental wellbeing, that this is a huge issue.

It would appear that although we farmers undergo the intense stress of these inspections, that we receive little or absolutely no premium for what we produce. What is the benefit of the promotional arms of QMS and Red Tractor?

These schemes are purely ‘voluntary’, with many thousands of farmers knowing only too well that if you are not part of these schemes, you are stigmatised when trying to sell your produce. The CEOs and MDs appear to enjoy the limelight and instead of working with us in a supportive capacity, are absolutely unaccountable. That is wrong in so many ways.

With the UK being only 60/70% self-sufficient in food and clearly relying on imported food which require very minimum standards, compared to our production methodology, we are losing our competitive edge.

Our levies paid to QMS, SQC and Red Tractor do not earn us, as the primary producer, more sales and higher prices and at the same time, they are calling the tune that we must dance to. They busily dream up even more rules and hurdles for us to adhere to and navigate around. We can only ask why?

Don’t get me wrong, there are some cracking staff work for these organisations, but they are usually at grass roots level. Our governments only care about affordable and cheap food for the population, and have no concern for the brutal stress being imposed upon ‘home-grown’ farmers who produce this high value, but far too cheap produce!

Many well-managed, family-run dairy farms have been forced out of business while ticking all the boxes to get a premium from major supermarkets, only to have the premium taken away.

Customers like the idea of supporting local and helping farmers – that has been apparent in the last two years of lockdown when many farm shop sales and local butcher shops had never been so busy – with the customer linking quality with the shop owner, rather than assurance.

Personally, I think the ‘jury’ may be out as to whether we need these assurance organisations. Non-assured food is just as safe to eat as assured food – no difference in that.

We definitely need to adhere to standards – they have always been there – of that there is no doubt. However, we need to find people to administer these businesses in an entirely different manner.

It is high time we called for a vote and ask our fellow farmers whether we should demand change. Look at how AHDB Potato’s levy payers saw sense and cut the cord. They are now planning how to better regulate and promote their sector.

The rest of us need to learn from these smart farmers and demand the demise of QMS, Red Tractor and SQC. Let’s take this power back into our own hands and learn from the mistakes we made in the past. No more quango monsters.

Let’s sort ourselves out for the benefit of society, food production, farming and mental well-being.

If the three speakers at NFUS agm were so confident that they are genuinely doing such a great job – as they attempted to portray last week – then I can see no reason why all schemes should be put to a vote to find out just how much support they really have.

Let’s gather all our farming folk together in our local auction markets, have the conversation and put these organisations to the test.

Patrick Sleigh, West Fingask, Oldmeldrum