Farmers’ health is inseparable from food security. However, occupational hazards, infectious diseases and psychosocial pressures reduce productivity, weaken farm viability and threaten the sustainability of the EU’s rural communities and food systems. Farmers face daily risks from accidents involving machinery and vehicles, falls from height, drowning, electrocution, and injuries related to livestock handling, alongside exposure to biological agents such as dust, fungi, ticks and zoonotic diseases. These threats are compounded by exposure to pesticide, associated with acute poisoning, cancers, neurological disorders, and mental health problems including depression and suicide. Seasonal and migrant workers are especially vulnerable due to insufficient training, poor living conditions and restricted access to healthcare, while cultural stigma and isolation further limit access to mental health support. EU institutions have recognised these challenges, with legislation, agency reports and European Parliament resolutions calling for stronger occupational safety protections, the recognition of occupational diseases, and the development of tailored mental health initiatives.
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O artigo foi publicado originalmente em Think Tank – Parlamento Europeu.
