NFU Mutual offers insurance help for farms opening to the public

NFU Mutual is extending public liability insurance for its policyholders who are participating in Farm Sunday on June 10 or The Year of Food and Farming.

Concerns over potential insurance claims from members of the public injured during a farm visit had put off some farmers from getting involved, said the insurance company.

“The Year of Food and Farming is a key element in agriculture’s campaign to connect with the public and we’re delighted to help by providing cover to farmers insured with us,” said customer services director Tim Hewson-Stoate.

Mr Hewson-Stoate said participating farmers should let their local NFU mutual agent know they were hosting an event and follow farm visit checklist compiled by its risk management services division.

Farm visit checklist

• Try to keep the farm as clean possible and ensure areas and pathways to which visitors have access to are kept free from any build-up of faeces.
  


•  If visitors are to be allowed to pet and feed animals, it is important that adequate supervision is provided in the contact areas.  If you do not wish visitors to have contact with any of the animals, then either arrange routes away from areas where animals are kept or install double fencing to prevent contact.
  


• Erect signs to informing visitors of dangers. Remember that signs do not negate the need for adequate supervision.
  


• Ensure everyone involved in hosting the visit is trained and instructed on what visitors should or should not do. If farming operations are taking place at the same time as the visit, it is important that the two are suitably segregated. 
  


• Remember that children are naturally curious and can often get into apparently inaccessible places. Whilst parents have a particular responsibility to prevent their children straying into areas where they may be at risk, you must take responsibility for the safety of visitors to your site.
  


• Where visitors are encouraged to contact animals you will need to provide washing facilities. Warm running water, liquid soaps and paper towels should be provided
  


• The location and number of toilet and wash facilities will vary depending on size of farm and number of visitors expected
  


• Inform farm insurer of your visit plans