Michael Gove has given his backing to a new initiative which seeks to support LGBTQ farmers and those living and working in rural communities.
Agrespect, a body which supports LGBTQ people living and working in rural communities, aims to start positive conversations about inclusivity in agriculture and show the industry can offer fulfilling careers for everybody.
Set up by farmers, it wants to show that while homophobic, biphobic and transphobic opinions can still exist in rural communities, they don’t define all views in the farming sector.
More than 20 companies have so far signed the Agrespect pledge to stand against prejudice in agriculture, including Barclays, McDonalds, Sainsbury’s and agricultural machinery manufacturers Fendt and Massey Fergusson.
Other partners include Harper Adams University, LEAF, the National Federation of Young Farmers, the Royal Agricultural University and the Soil Association.
This week, the list was joined by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) when Secretary of State Michael Gove signed the pledge during a special meeting with rural leaders.
Mr Gove was joined by Defra permanent secretary Clare Moriarty, NFU president Minnette Batters and CLA director general Helen Woolley, who also added their organisations to the pledge.
'Regardless of background'
Speaking during the event, which was also attended by Agrespect founders and supporters, Mr Gove said: “Farming today is an innovative and progressive industry that benefits greatly from being open to all, regardless of their background, gender, religion and sexuality.
“I hope that through the signing of this pledge we can further demonstrate our ongoing support for LGBTQ+ people in our rural communities.”
Clare Moriarty, Defra permanent secretary, added: “It’s encouraging to see how the world has moved on in recognising LGBTQ+ rights in the last 20 years, but we are not yet as inclusive a society as we need to be, including in our rural communities.
“Agrespect has highlighted a really important issue for diversity and inclusion, and by sharing personal stories and experiences they are uniting the rural LGBTQ+ community to change things for the better.
“I am incredibly proud to sign the Agrespect pledge to demonstrate Defra’s support for this brilliant work,” she said.
Minette Batters, NFU president, said the union was delighted to support the Agrespect initiative. “British farmers have big responsibilities resting on our shoulders over the next few years and we must challenge ourselves to be an inclusive industry which welcomes new entrants of every type from any background,” she added.
'Massive change'
Lincolnshire flower grower Matt Naylor, one of the farmers behind Agrespect, said the initiative wanted to encourage positive conversations about inclusivity in rural areas.
Conceived following a Countryfile feature about the Gay Farmers Helpline — which looked at farmers in isolated communities who were struggling to come to terms with their sexuality, — the organisation wanted to help LGBTQ+ people and their families understand that being yourself was not barrier to a fulfilling life and career in the countryside.
“Agriculture and the rural economy are going through a period of massive change and the countryside needs to retain and attract the very brightest and best people. We need to welcome everyone,” he said.
“It is really important to promote the countryside as a vibrant and accepting place to live and work regardless of your gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
"Farming and food production is the bedrock of society and it is important that the people managing and working in these industries are fully representative of the people that they feed.
Mr Nayor added: “Obviously there is still a way to go before all rural industries, businesses and communities can call themselves truly diverse and actively inclusive but we are thrilled with the support and commitment that we are being given by our partner organisations.”
Agrespect is currently working with agricultural colleges and universities to unite and attract LGBTQ+ students and is planning activities at Pride events in the UK to promote British food and farming.
The initiative follows the release of a BBC Countryfile episode which shone a light on depression and suicide within the gay, rural community.
