Making a farm visit – Information for visitors
Open Farm Sunday takes place on 10 June and many farmers will be opening their farm gate and letting visitors in to see what actually happens on farms. The questions and answers below might help visitors prepare for a visit.
Maybe you would like to visit a farm on Open Farm Sunday?
Perhaps you are a teacher hoping to take school children to a farm so they can learn more about farming?
If so, the questions and answers below might help you prepare for the visit. However, this guidance is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice
How can I organise a farm visit?
Firstly, you need to find out which farms in your area host visits. Visit the Open Farm Sunday website to find out what events are taking place on Open Farm Sunday on 10 June. To find out what farms you can visit throughout the rest of the year, visit the Teacher Net website or the Access to Farms website.
I have heard about biosecurity on farm. What is it and how can I help as a visitor?
The Defra website says: 'Biosecurity literally means 'safe life'. If you work or come into contact with farm animals, biosecurity means taking steps to make sure that good hygiene practices are in place. This will help prevent the spread of diseases. Good biosecurity is a vital part of keeping new diseases away from animals. It also helps to improve efficiency, protect neighbouring farms and the countryside.' The Defra website can give more information on biosecurity.
Foot bathing facilities containing Defra approved disinfectants should be provided for vistors upon entering any farm premises. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear that can be submerged in disinfectant solution.
Visitors should wear clean, washable clothing.
Visitors might be discouraged from smoking within a farm premises and should adhere to individual farm policy. Eating and drinking should only take place in controlled situations and areas.
Visitors must ensure that they wash hands after touching or feeding animals, and before leaving the farm.
Should I let the group touch or feed the animals?
Farms will have their own policy on visitors touching or feeding the animals and you must clarify this with the farm before you or any children touch the animals.
Illnesses such as E.coli 0157, Ringworm or Orf can all be passed from animals to humans so any member of the group who does touch or feed animals, must thoroughly wash their hands afterwards, especially before smoking or eating.
I am organising a group/school visit. What information should I give to the other visitors before going to the farm?
Contact the farm you are visiting to see if there is any information you can receive before the visit so you can pass it on to the rest of the group in plenty of time to read and understand it before making the visit.
If you are taking children, discuss some of the potential risks of visiting a farm.
How can I ensure I don't catch illnesses from the farm animals?
Ensure you wash hands afterwards if you come into contact with the animals or feed them. However, all farms will have their own policy on whether they will allow you to touch the animals so do find out first.
Adhere to the farmer's requests or signage to stay out of certain areas of the farm.
Don't wander or let children wander into fields or areas with animal faeces.
Be understanding if your farm visit is cancelled due to some animals being unwell. The farmer will cancel to keep you and the group safe.
One of our group members is pregnant, is it ok for her to visit the farm?
Pregnant women are advised to avoid close contact with sheep during the lambing season. Pregnant women who come into contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health and that of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes. These include chlamydiosis (enzootic abortion of ewes -EAE) toxoplasmosis and listeriosis, which are common causes of abortion in ewes.
Although the number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing season.
More information about this is available on the Defra website and the Health Protection Agency website.
Where can I get more information about visiting a farm?
If you are a teacher, find out more about why farm visits are important by visiting the FAQ section of the Farms for Schools website or visit the Access for Schools website.
Teachers Information Packs and maths resources relating to farming are available for you to download from the FACE website.
Find out more about farms to visit on Open Farm Sunday which is on 10 June 2007 on the Open Farm Sunday website.
You can download a leaflet from the Health and Safety Executive website called 'Farms are not playgrounds' which shows ten ways that children can get hurt on the farm.
Find out what farmers can do to keep children safe while visitors are on their farm by downloading a leaflet called 'Be responsible - keep children safe on your farm' from the Health and Safety Executive website.
If you are a school who would like to receive up to date information on the farms you can visit, take a look at the Access to Farms website.
