If you would like detailed advice regarding your specific situation, please contact NFU CallFirst on 0870 845 8548 for a referral to one of the NFU’s legal panel firms of solicitors.
General considerations
- Please comply with any instructions given to you by any police officers attending your event; failure to do so could be an offence.
- It is important to ensure that any public highways are not obstructed, as this is an offence, so please allow other road/footpath users to pass freely.
- Please be mindful of the importance of ensuring that the emergency services are able to carry out their roles without disruption.
- Blockades and withholding supply carry particular legal risks, and consequently are not endorsed by the NFU and do not form part of any NFU event.
- When attending or planning an event, please be mindful of the fact that there may be local restrictions which need to be complied with. In addition, where venues have been hired, there may be specific terms of hire which must be complied with, so please follow any instructions from the organiser.
- If taking photos to use on social media, please ensure that you have consent from anyone who is clearly identifiable in the photos.
Bringing vehicles to events
- If vehicles are being driven on public roads, it is important to ensure that they are in a safe and roadworthy condition, with appropriate insurance in place.
- It is important that drivers hold the required licences, are competent to drive the vehicle in question.
- It is important that any relevant rules and regulations, including height and weight restrictions and rules relating to children in vehicles, are complied with at all times on public roads.
- Any banners displayed on vehicles should not obstruct vehicle lights or signals;
- Please ensure that you use appropriate fuel in your vehicle. Taking into account Government Guidance, it seems unlikely that red diesel can be used when participating in “Day of Unity” events.
- The Rule 169 of the Highway Code requires that drivers of slow moving vehicles do not hold up other traffic, so please pull in to allow other vehicles to pass if queues start to form, provided it is safe to do so.
- Processions have to be notified to the police in advance, so it is important that vehicles only form convoys/processions if that has been organised in advance.
- If vehicles are part of a static display, ensure that they are secure and cannot move/be started if members of the public are to be allowed in/near the machinery.
Livestock
- If taking livestock to an event, consider whether you need to report the movement and comply with any standstill requirements following the event.
- Ensure that you do not breach any movement restrictions which may be in place, including restrictions relating to bTB, Avian Influenza and Bluetongue Virus.
- Consider the welfare needs of your animals at the event, and ensure that adequate food, water and bedding materials will be available.
- Keep in mind that the event may be busy and noisy and consider the temperaments of animals attending carefully to ensure that they will not be distressed at the event and will be happy with members of the public being in close proximity.
- If members of the public will have the opportunity to touch or feed animals, ensure that hand sanitiser and/or washing facilities will be available.
- Consider your biosecurity needs and ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place; if you are unsure what arrangements will be in place, speak to the meeting organiser.
The NFU can take no responsibility for any consequences arising from individual circumstances which cannot be fully accounted for in this document. It is advisable to seek professional advice.
For free initial Legal & Professional advice NFU CallFirst on 0870 845 8548.