Natural England - Farm visits and E.Coli
Farm visits and E.Coli
E.Coli briefing and educational access agreements in agri-environment schemes
All animals naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans, where they may cause ill health. Some organisms which may be contracted on farms, such as the verocytotoxin producing bacterium Escherichia coli O157 (E coli O157), present a serious hazard and potentially cause severe disease (and more recently E coli O26). E coli O157 in particular can cause severe illness in young children.
Good general cleanliness around the farm, separating eating and contact areas, adequate handwashing facilities, information for staff and visitors, and proper supervision of animal contact and hand washing are all essential.
There is no reason why children should not visit farms providing they follow the HSE advice. Not all farms have livestock anyway and not all farms with livestock allow contact between people and animals – many are fenced off so they can be seen but not touched.
Natural England advisers provide copies of all the HSE leaflets to applicants when the agreement offer is sent. Local Agri-environment Access Contacts have been asked to resend these where there is doubt about whether it was sent previously.
HSE guidance
In summary the guidance requires that adequate washing facilities are provided, that all visitors are encouraged to wash thoroughly after contact with animal and before eating, that buildings and stock fencing and gates are kept clean, and that warning notices are present.