Tearful Lib-Dem tells of farm suicides
16 December 1999
Tearful Lib-Dem tells of farm suicides
By FWi staff
A WELSH Assembly member broke down in tears after revealing four farmers in her constituency had committed suicide due to the pressures facing the industry.
Kirsty Williams, Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnor, told colleagues she was tired of attending the funerals of farmers who could no longer cope, reports BBC Online
The Lib-Dem spokesperson on health and social services said she was pleased the Assembly was finally doing something about the crisis.
In an interview with BBC Wales, Ms Williams called for a reduction in the red tape farmers face.
“There is a massive strain on them and there is a shortfall of mental health provision in rural Wales – we need more help.”
Industry figures show nine suicides in Wales, although many observers believe the true figure is higher.
The assemblys agriculture secretary, Christine Gwyther, is set to meet farming union members in North Wales to discuss ways of easing the current crisis.
A recent survey by the Rural Stress Information Network said that one farmer a week is being driven to suicide by the pressures of cashflow and red tape.