Addressing Farmers Financial Distress

Farming is a vital part of our economy—it provides the food we eat and supports rural communities, but farmers face many challenges that can put their businesses at risk. These include unpredictable weather, changing market prices, and diseases that affect crops and animals. When these problems pile up, farmers can find themselves in serious financial trouble.

In some countries like the United States and Australia, the government recognises that farming is a unique industry and has created special legal processes to help farmers manage debt and avoid losing their farms. However, in England, farmers are treated just like any other business under the general insolvency laws. This means they don’t get any special support when they face financial hardship.

This study takes a closer look at how this affects English farmers. By speaking with people involved in farming and insolvency—such as lawyers, financial advisors, and farmers themselves—the research uncovers the difficulties farmers face when trying to use the current legal system to deal with debt. It shows that the system doesn’t always fit the realities of farming life. The study also compares England’s approach with those of other countries and suggests ways the law could be improved.

The goal is to make sure farmers have better tools to recover from financial distress, which would help protect the food supply and rural communities. In short, this research highlights a gap in the legal system and calls for changes that could make a big difference for farmers in England.

Publications and outputs