As spring approaches, you may be preparing to open your farm to the public, possibly for the first time.

Visiting a farm is an enjoyable day out, particularly for children. Thousands of farm visits take place every year across the South East, providing members of the public with memorable and educational experiences.

However, visiting a farm does carry some risk of catching an infection from animals or from the wider environment.

Two common causes of illness linked to farms are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (including E. coli O157) and cryptosporidium. Both are carried by cattle, sheep and goats, as well as other animals, and can cause serious illness in humans, particularly children, pregnant women and the elderly. Infections can be picked up from the animal itself, its faeces or from areas where animals are housed.

When a number of cases of human disease are linked to a farm, an outbreak is declared. Farmers therefore need to take steps to reduce this risk of infection to the public.

Last year, UKHSA investigated 16 outbreaks of cryptosporidium nationally linked to farm visits, which resulted in many hundreds of infections.

One large outbreak in the South East affected over 400 people who visited a lamb handling and feeding event on a farm.

Outbreaks can be devastating, both for the individuals who fall ill and for the farm involved, both reputationally and financially, and can involve legal action.

There are excellent resources available to help you prepare to open to the public and reduce the risk of infection on your farm.

The main sources of guidance are the industry code of practice 2021, available here, which was developed following a large outbreak of E. coli O157 linked to a farm in Surrey, and the Health and Safety Executive guidance on preventing ill health in animal visitor attractions OG 121, available here.

These provide practical and proportionate guidance on preventing ill health on farms including advice on:

• layout and routes, including separation of animal contact areas, eating areas and play areas
• specifications for appropriate washing facilities and their locations
• cleaning
• signage and information
• staff training
• visitor supervision and livestock management.

If you’re preparing to open your farm to the public this spring and summer, please read the guidance and take the necessary steps to ensure visitors enjoy a safe visit.

If you have any questions, please contact your local authority environmental health team.

Premises covered by the industry code of practice

• Farm attractions such as open farms and farm parks
• Animal contact enclaves within other attractions, including those at zoos
• City farms or other educational establishments
• Working farms with livestock that occasionally open to the public, e.g. for school visits or to participate in Open Farm Sunday or similar events
• Rare breed and rescue centres
• Agricultural shows or country fairs where livestock are present
• Travelling menageries or mobile petting enterprises
• Other similar visitor attractions at which the public have contact with animals.

The NFU has also produced advice, available here.