You often hear us farmers shouting about our world leading welfare standards and intensely regulated supply chains.
It sets us apart from our foreign counterparts and we are proud of it.
What you hear less about are the random spot checks and unannounced inspections that farmers comply with in order to uphold these credentials.
Today, it was our turn for an inspection.
Something we, like every other farmer, completely dread.
Because regardless of how much work you put in or how confident you are in your own ability, we are human and we are all capable of getting things wrong.
And honestly, these inspections are extremely stressful.
It involves a stomach churning couple of hours of blood testing stock, collecting urine samples, gathering bags of feed for analysis, checking animal medicines and records and lots and lots of questions.
All the while you're hoping and praying you've done everything right.
In the 2021 RABI farming survey it reported that the agricultural industry is 'characterised by poor mental health' with 'regulation and inspection' cited as the leading stressor.
Just let that sink in for a second... 'characterised by poor mental health'
Meaning one of the most distinctive features of this industry, that we all love and are so proud of, is poor mental health.
And it's little wonder when you consider some of the consequences for not getting things quite right on inspection day.
Most farmers are doing their absolute best but any errors unearthed by an inspector could leave us exposed to a hefty fine, a ban on working with animals or even a prison sentence - not to mention the reputational damage that any of those things would bring.
Does that mean I disagree with these visits? Absolutely not.
Inspections have an important role to play in monitoring the health and welfare of farm animals and make an important contribution to consumer confidence.
The public need to know that what happens on farm is monitored and regulated.
But you have to wonder, is the same level of effort going into scrutinising the production processes of meat coming into our country through the ports and then sold via the supermarkets?
Has this imported produce that we as farmers are competing with, and that you as consumers are putting into your bodies, come from farms subject to the same spot checks for health and welfare?
Have their animals and feed products been scrutinised to ensure they are free from growth promoters, hormones or other substances that would be illegal and unethical for us to use (all things that we have been checked for today)?
I sincerely hope so, because with 6365 UK agricultural businesses ceasing trading in the last 12 months alone (the highest rate since records began) imported meat could well be our only option in the not too distant future if the current trajectory continues.
#knowyourfood
#knowyourfarmer
#farmtofork
#britishisbest
#mindyourhead
#together
#rabi
#yellowwellies
#farmerresilience.
