The British public have a rosy view of farming life, which is a far cry from the reality of farming, according to the Prince’s Countryside Fund.

A survey conducted by the charity revealed that 1 in 4 UK adults liked the idea of giving up their day job to work on a farm. However, the trust said this positive perception stands in stark contrast with the realities of farming, which is a tough profession, with the worst health and safety record of any employment sector in the UK and is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of Brexit. 

The survey, which was timed to coincide with National Countryside week (which began on Monday). The public also estimated farm incomes to be much higher than the average income according to Defra figures - although Defra’s statistics do disguise a huge range of incomes from farming, with some sectors making a loss without subsidies and others securing incomes over £100,000pa. On average, the public estimated farm incomes to be around £46,801.

Commenting on the survey results, Lord Curry, Chair of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said, "The true reality of what it takes to be a farmer is not widely understood. Many of us envisage the picturesque countryside lifestyle with a comfortable living. Unfortunately, for one of the oldest professions, the reality can be very different. Farmers work long hard hours, receive modest pay for their efforts, have financial instability and are now faced with growing uncertainty.”

Further findings of the report indicated the plight many farmers face from falling prices, with many forced to borrow more to stay afloat. 66% of UK dairy farms have closed since 1995, and of those that remain, many have been forced to rely on credit. With farm borrowing levels almost doubling in the past decade, 17% of farms have been unable to pay off their short-term debts.

Public attitudes to supporting UK farms financially are complex. The report identified that 50% of people are willing to pay more for items such as milk to support local farmers, with 21% willing to pay up to 50p more. However, only 15% said that UK production was the main motivator in purchasing food. The most common influence (for 42% of people) was price.

Also commenting on the results, pig farmer and television presenter Jimmy Doherty said, "Not all is rosy on the nation’s farms. Many farmers are under real pressure from falling prices for their produce. This is forcing some into debt that they are struggling to repay. The Prince’s Countryside Fund has undertaken some valuable research. How we choose to interpret these answers will determine the place within that society of the hard-working, dedicated and talented individuals who toil to put food on our plates."

The Trust said there is a clear disconnect between farmers and the public at large; whilst only 32% of those questioned felt their knowledge of the countryside was poor, 95% of farmers said they feel that the British public doesn't understand the challenges they face.