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Pig farmers encouraged to take part in major wellbeing survey

12th Jan 2021 / By Alistair Driver

All pig producers are being encouraged to take part in RABI’s Big Farming Survey, an ambitious project that will attempt to gauge the mental and physical health of people who work in agriculture.

Big Farming SurveyThe largest ever survey ever undertaken of its kind was launched England and Wales on Monday, with a target of achieving 26,000 responses from farming people.

The Big Farming Survey aims to identify how increasingly complex challenges within the sector are impacting people’s physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the health of farming businesses.

Delivered in partnership with the Centre for Rural Research, based at the University of Exeter, and supported by key stakeholders and partners across the agricultural industry, the Big Farming Survey is open to all farmers, farm workers, spouses and adult-aged offspring.

  • The survey, which only takes 15 minutes to complete and runs until March 31, can be completed online at rabi.org.uk/BigFarmingSurvey
  • Alternatively, printed copies in English and Welsh can be requested by emailing

“RABI is acutely aware of the mounting pressures in the sector,” said the charity’s chief executive, Alicia Chivers. “To serve our community effectively, we require a greater understanding of how these factors affect daily life which is why we’ve launched the Big Farming Survey.

“It is vital that the voices of farming people are heard. It only takes 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire and everyone who participates will be making an important contribution. “Setting the ambitious goal of 26,000 responses will ensure we can build the most comprehensive picture of life in agriculture today.

“The research will enable us to formulate more effective tools and support strategies to enhance farmer wellbeing now and into the future.

“Farming people are raised to be ‘robust’ and ‘resilient’, yet these expectations simply aren’t realistic. We are not indestructible. The reality is we all have the capacity to be affected by difficulties and challenges.

“By initiating frank and honest conversations, I believe we can begin to ‘normalise’ our vulnerabilities. Breaking down these invisible barriers will ultimately empower farming people - ensuring they can move forward more positively by accessing the support that they need.”

NPA view

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “We think this is a really important project that aims to paint a true picture of the state of farming’s mental and physical health in order to address the issues.

“Pig farmers, like all sectors of agriculture, face a whole range of pressures on a daily basis and sometimes these can take their toll. I would strongly encourage all producers to take part in this survey.”