Stress blamed on Government (From Gazette & Herald)

Stress blamed on Government

PROJECTS to help stressed rural workers are to receive a cash injection - but North Yorkshire farmers claim that Government legislation and reform is the root of their anxiety.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will make £500,000 available to voluntary and community sector groups that help people in rural areas who suffer from stress.

The fifth Rural Stress Action Plan is aimed at projects that provide an outlet for farmers and agricultural workers - which are both considered occupational groups at high risk of suicide - people who run small rural businesses and their employees, and owners, occupiers and workers on the land.

It includes influencing mental health and well-being services and tackling social and psychological isolation, a particular problem in rural areas of England.

But David Blades, farm manager of Hovingham Farms, near Malton, said: "It's the Government that causes the stress.

"It's been a difficult year, with the Single Payment Scheme coming in, and prices are at rock bottom. Farmers are under a lot of pressure and I don't think the Government helps."

Mr Blades said he believed agricultural workers' stress often did not materialise into obvious conditions, like alcoholism, but people tended to become withdrawn instead.

He said there was a significant level of suicides among people in the industry.

Robert Patchett, chairman of the York East branch of the National Farmers' Union, said: "Everybody's stressed out. I can't say providing money is going to relieve stress, but it may give some people somewhere to turn to. One would welcome any help in that respect.

"Anyone who runs a business nowadays has to deal with rules and regulations that come out so fast it's a full-time job keeping up to date with them all," said Mr Patchett.

He said the Common Agricultural Policy reform and entry level scheme were "two lots of woe to land on our desks".

Mr Patchett added that attracting employees was stressful and difficult because farmers were squeezed for costs, yet had to offer competitive salaries to keep workers in the industry and afford house prices.

Updated: 15:28 Wednesday, June 15, 2005