Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 13 October 2021.
Thank you very much. And the final question: Members will be aware that last weekend was designated World Mental Health Day. Given their nature, rural communities can be very isolated, and as a result of the lack of opportunities for people to meet with others on a day-to-day basis, families can often suffer social isolation with mental health problems emerging from that. Unfortunately, 84 per cent of farmers under the age of 40 say that mental health issues are the biggest invisible challenge to farming in Wales. A report commissioned by the Prince's Countryside Fund has outlined how markets can secure a more healthy future for farmers and rural communities as places where people can meet and socialise. So, can the Minister outline what steps the Government is taking not only to help to support the mental health of farmers, but also to support the economic role that community centres such as markets play in providing social benefits, which are so important?