RABI brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders and farming representatives on Thursday 15 May for a high-level roundtable in Parliament, exploring urgent solutions to the worsening health gap facing the UK’s farming communities.
Hosted in the House of Commons and chaired by our Director of Services, Caron Whaley, the roundtable examined new research suggesting that farmers are significantly more at risk of preventable illness, chronic pain, and fatal accidents than the general population.
The discussion focused on systemic barriers preventing farmers from accessing healthcare and identified opportunities for collaborative research and intervention.
In closing the event, Alicia Chivers, RABI Chief Executive emphasised the charity’s commitment to collaborative action:
“Our message is simple: this is an issue with real and devastating consequences. We cannot close the farming wellbeing gap alone. But together, we can start to facilitate real change.”
We are grateful to all who attended and contributed so thoughtfully. Special thanks to Professors Cathy Jackson and Stuart Maitland-knibb for presenting their early research findings, and to Alistair Carmichael MP for kindly hosting the session.
