Letters: 'when agriculture is facing unprecedented challenges, we must be united in doing all we can to support the mental health' and well-being of farmers

AT a time when agriculture is facing unprecedented challenges, we must be united in doing all we can to support the mental health and well-being of farmers. Your recent article ‘Farming charity trains Government agencies on empathy' highlighted how, as public bodies who work face-to-face with farmers across the country on a daily basis, we are working to do this, but did not present the full benefits of this training to the people our teams serve. We take part in training to constantly improve how we engage with the farming community - categorically not because we have no empathy as your article implied. We want our advisers to focus on the people and businesses we are here to serve and support.

Many of our staff come from farming backgrounds and are already involved in the crucial work the Farming Community Network and other charities do to support farming communities. We know the pressures farmers face and continuously seek to improve how we work with and support farmers to achieve the right outcomes.

This is why we are so pleased to be working with the FCN to make sure our staff are as equipped as possible to engage with and help farmers in difficult circumstances. What your article missed is that empathy was just one theme of the training recently delivered, with the session covering important topics such as how to spot the signs of farmers who are struggling with mental health, what support is available and how it can be accessed, and how farmers can help both their own and others' well-being.Aled

Edwards, head of England Field Delivery, Animal and Plant Health Agency. Simon Humphries, deputy director, Greener Farming, Natural England.