Rural Issues

Rural crime and sheep worrying by dogs are rising in prevalence and are major issues for sheep farmers across the UK. It brings not only financial impacts to farm businesses but also potential consequences for mental health and wellbeing of farmers.

Addressing rural issues such as these is a large part of NSA’s work, including best advice for members and the wider sheep industry on preventative steps and what to do in the event of occurrence. NSA also maintains an active presence in the media to raise awareness of rural issues, including less sheep-specific but highly relevant matters such as rural connectivity, while keeping pressure on Government to address and act on these topics.

The matters of farm safety and mental health are also increasingly important. With agriculture classified as a critical industry for safety and a worrying prevalence of poor mental health amongst farmers, NSA is committed to tackling these issues through providing relevant information and signposting to appropriate support.

Please find more below on our crucial advice and signposting for farmers and of what we are doing to support the industry through these challenges.