RT Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has commended farming charity The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) for its work in supporting farmers following her visit to the Royal Cornwall Show. 

“I met RABI to hear about the fantastic work they do to provide practical, emotional and financial support to farming communities,” said Dr Coffey. 

“As farmers face significant global pressures driven by the illegal war in Ukraine, it is now more important than ever that we recognise the toll these can have on farmers’ mental health and continue to work with organisations such as RABI on government action that will support rural communities to thrive,” she added.  

RABI chief executive Alicia Chivers hosted the meeting on the RABI stand at Cornwall’s biggest annual event.  

Alicia updated the minister on the increasingly proactive approach the charity has taken to expand the delivery of services to farming people. She noted the importance of continuing to develop a dialogue between the charity and government. 

“RABI has a unique and valuable role to play, ensuring that the impacts of future policy decisions on farming people are central in the minds of policymakers over the coming months and years,” Alicia said.  

“We are privileged to work with farming communities across England and Wales, and believe that, when coupled with powerful insights gained from our research, such as RABI’s recent Big Farming Survey, we can help politicians and legislators develop policies with a greater awareness of what they will mean for farming people’s lives,” she continued.   

The Secretary of State was also introduced to RABI regional support manager Lindsay Derbyshire and heard firsthand how the charity’s work in the Southwest is making tangible differences to the farming community. Local auctioneer and RABI volunteer Edward Buckland was also introduced.