Coping with Risks from Natural Disasters on Farms in Wales – Does Insurance Have a Role?

Abstract

SummaryRisks faced by agricultural producers come in many forms and can be classified in different ways. Similarly, tools to enable farmers to cope with risks are diverse. This article focuses on natural disasters, which seem set to increase in frequency with global warming, and the possible use of insurance to mitigate their effects. The specific example chosen is extreme weather incidents in Wales, where heavy snow and low temperatures in localised hill and mountain areas occasionally have substantial impacts on livestock numbers and the viability of farms there. Among the policy responses considered by the Welsh Government is the use of subsidised insurance. We review the attributes of such a scheme, set up in advance of extreme weather incidents, and what factors have prevented their establishment so far. A lack of statistical evidence on past farm‐level losses is only part of the explanation; and weather incidents are only one form of impact that has to be taken into account. Even if subsidised insurance can be made to work as a policy tool, this is not necessarily the most efficient use of public funds. Welfare support as used in Wales in 2013 or education and training in resilience to risk may be preferable.