News round up

If you thought Mother Nature would be kind enough to give farmers an easy ride this year after the past turbulent 12 months, think again. On 20 April, the UK had seen just 16% of the average rainfall for the whole of the month of April, the Met Office reported. Temperatures have also been lower than average, particularly at night; an average of 13 days of frost across the UK led to the month being named the frostiest April since records began. This, and the inevitable dry soils, have led to farmers becoming understandably concerned about the potential for crop damage.

Industry disgust at the rise in popularity of sky lanterns has been rumbling along for a few years now. But a new coalition has decided enough is enough. The group, comprising 18 organisations, has written to Environment Minister Rebecca Pow to call for a national ban. They believe the government has been slow to act on this issue, as many other countries have long considered sky lanterns an environmental crime due to the risk they pose to the landscape and animals. More than 150 local councils in the UK have already taken matters into their own hands, banning the release of lanterns on council property. Paul Hedley, National Fire Chiefs Council Wildfire Lead, said: "Sky lanterns have been proven to start wildfires and property fires, kill or injure livestock, as well as polluting our natural environment. They put unnecessary strain on our critical services. Our advice is simple – don’t use them."

Last April, the government launched the Pick for Britain campaign when the pandemic prevented many foreign workers from reaching our shores. Carried along by a wave of patriotism and Blitz-spirit, tens of thousands of Britons applied for thousands of roles. However, few actually ended up working on farm. And now, after the UK’s departure from the EU brought with it an end to freedom of movement, there are fears labour shortages will impact the sector again. “HM Government will continue to help UK farmers and growers recruit the seasonal workers they need, including support for workers from the domestic labour market, those with EU Settled Status, and those coming in through the HMG Seasonal Workers Pilot,” a message on the Pick for Britain homepage reads.

For the past year, many of our concerns have centred on our physical health, specifically avoiding contracting Covid-19. However, as life begins to return to normal, many are concerned that the mental impact of the past year could prove a serious issue for a significant time. To try to get to the bottom of how those working in agriculture are feeling, RABI launched its Big Farming Survey and was taken aback by the number of responses received. In total, 15,500 people took the time to respond, making the survey the most comprehensive research into the health and wellbeing of the farming community ever conducted. “The results have exceeded our expectations and astounded many, including one research centre who advised us a response rate of over a couple of thousand was unattainable,” said Alicia Chivers, CEO of RABI. “Our objective was to deliver statistically valid findings that encompass the diversity in farming today. We have more than achieved this. The results will provide a true reflection of the pressures and the impacts that people are facing, both from a personal and business perspective.”