Helen Rebanks, a farmer's wife living in the Lake District with her husband James and their four children, has shared her perspective on the challenges faced by UK farmers in the aftermath of Brexit. In her debut book, "The Farmer's Wife," Rebanks offers a glimpse into her life on a 700-acre farm, highlighting the struggles of managing children and a wide array of animals.
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Helen Rebanks, who resides on a farm that accommodates six sheep dogs, two ponies, 20 chickens, 500 sheep, and 50 cattle, presents a heartfelt account of her life alongside her husband, James.
Both James and Helen have connections to the literary world, with James having authored bestsellers like "The Shepherd's Life" and "English Pastoral," focusing on traditional farming in the Cumbria region.
In this book, Helen Rebanks reflects on the challenges currently faced by UK farmers, painting a picture of a life that appears serene but is far from trouble-free. Brexit and its subsequent implications have emerged as formidable threats to farmers' livelihoods and, in some tragic instances, their lives.
Helen Rebanks criticizes the post-Brexit landscape and its impact on farming, pinpointing the government's stance as a significant challenge. Since the 1950s, farmers were urged to increase production and were provided with support.
However, the devastating foot and mouth disease outbreak disrupted this trajectory, causing some farmers to fold while others struggled to rebuild. EU subsidies, despite their imperfections, provided a lifeline, offering basic payment for the land under cultivation. Unfortunately, these subsidies have been gradually reduced over the years, leading to a decline in farmers' income.
The heart of Rebanks' critique lies in the government's trade agreements with non-EU nations. These agreements were intended to usher in a new era of prosperity for British farmers and businesses post-Brexit. However, the reality is starkly different. Imported goods are now posing a threat to domestically grown produce. Rebanks cites the example of eggs from Mexico, produced using battery hens.
This influx of imported eggs, coupled with increased production costs including feed, heating, lighting, and energy expenses, has dealt a severe blow to British egg producers. Supermarkets' reluctance to pay the true cost of production has exacerbated the situation, leaving farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods.
The repercussions of these challenges have proven unbearable for some farmers. A lack of adequate staffing and dire circumstances have led to a distressing reality for many in the agricultural sector. Notably, the suicide rate among farmers has reached an alarming high. Rebanks attributes this dire outcome to the relentless pressures and obstacles farmers face.
Rebanks also casts a critical eye on the government's handling of food imports. She decries the situation as a "travesty," expressing her reluctance to consume produce that has been shipped over long distances, stored for months, and then presented for sale.
The importation of items like apples from New Zealand or chicken from Thailand for supermarket sandwiches stands as a stark contrast to the principles of locally sourced, fresh produce.
In conclusion, Helen Rebanks' debut book, "The Farmer's Wife," offers an insightful perspective on the challenges encountered by UK farmers post-Brexit. With candor, she exposes the profound impacts of reduced subsidies, unfavorable trade agreements, and imported goods on the agricultural sector. Her narrative shines a light on the struggles faced not only by farmers' livelihoods but also by their mental and emotional well-being.