Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has spoken out about the rising number of UK agricultural worker deaths after alarming new farm safety statistics left him profoundly worried. The BBC presenter, who also operates Cotswold Farm Park, revealed the most recent data had compelled him to reassess the hazards confronting those working in agriculture.
Rising death toll
Writing in BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam said: "There's so much bad news around that it's easy to be numbed by the torrent of negative stories in the media. But occasionally something hits the headlines that stops me in my tracks – and that's what happened when the latest figures for deaths in the workplace were released."
The data revealed that 33 individuals lost their lives while working in agriculture during the 2025/26 financial year. This represented an increase from 23 fatalities the preceding year and 27 in 2023/24.
Adam highlighted that, despite agriculture employing approximately 1% of the British workforce, it represents roughly 20% of workplace deaths, according to Gloucestershire Live.
Reflecting on farm safety
The statistics led him to consider his own farming operation, where he has staff and contractors on the payroll, and the precautions in place to ensure people's safety. He explained that evaluating risks and delivering training were already standard practice on the farm, though noted there was merit in taking stock to consider whether improvements could be made.
Adam recognised there was no simple answer for the death toll, emphasising that each fatality was a tragedy and that individual circumstances varied. Nevertheless, he drew attention to some of the specific difficulties associated with agricultural work, including long working hours, physical demands and the potentially solitary nature of working on a farm.
"If there are no colleagues around and no chance of a second opinion (or a crucial second pair of eyes), it's easy to imagine how something potentially dangerous could go unnoticed," he wrote.
Workplace risks and safety measures
He also referred to the vast array of tasks undertaken by agricultural workers, ranging from handling livestock and shearing sheep to working with chemicals and operating heavy machinery. Adam said he was mindful that a farm should be regarded as a workplace in the same way as a factory or workshop, despite its rural setting. He recalled the notorious 1970s public information film Apaches, which warned children about the dangers of playing on farms, describing it as "terrifying to watch".
Research conducted by the Farm Safety Foundation revealed that 88% of British farmers surveyed believed complacency, including overconfidence or a false sense of security, was a significant contributing factor in farm accidents. Steps are being taken to address the issue, including the Foundation's Yellow Wellies campaign, which offers safety guidance and training. The charity RABI has also introduced FarmersAid, a free app designed to support individuals who find themselves alone following a serious accident while awaiting the emergency services.
Broader concerns for agriculture
Adam's remarks follow his recent discussion of another significant concern for agriculture during a question-and-answer session with fellow farmer Olly Harrison at Cotswold Farm Park. The pair were questioned about their expectations from the Government, with Harrison contending that farming required greater recognition.
Adam then voiced apprehensions about food fraud, revealing he had been informed by someone at the Food Standards Agency that its value in the UK stood at £9 billion. He said: "I was with someone from the Food Standards Agency and food fraud in the UK has a value of nine billion pounds. So stuff that is on a glass or a packet or says it's something that it's actually not."
He added: "Huge amount of food coming into the country that is, you know, meats that is unlabelled or out of date or not fit for human consumption. Honey, olive oil and dairy products are the three biggest fraudulent foods."
Regarding the farm safety statistics, Adam concluded with a straightforward aspiration: "Like everyone, I'm hoping and praying for zero avoidable deaths on our farms in the future."
