Open farm shake-up after e.coli outbreak

The new recommendations come after an investigation into the e.coli outbreak on an open farm in Surrey last summer found hygiene controls to be inadequate.

The outbreak on Godstone Farm was the largest ever in Britain affecting 93 people, with 17 children developing life threatening conditions.

But Professor George Griffin, who led the investigation into the outbreak, said the episode could have been avoided if more attention had been paid ‘to minimise or eliminate’ exposure to animal faecal matter.

He added better public information and a faster reaction from public authorities would have helped to mitigate the disaster.

In his recommendations published today (Tuesday, June 15) he said: “To minimise visitor contact with animal faeces or faecal matter, we have identified specific issues that should be addressed as a matter of urgency. These could form the basis of an agreed code of good practice within the industry.

“Farm layout and design are critical to reducing the risk of infection.”

Once the Godstone outbreak had taken hold, Prof Griffin criticised the HPA for being slow and indecisive in its action.  

“There was a lack of public health leadership by the Health Protection Agency and a missed opportunity to exercise decisive public health action and thereby restrict the size of the outbreak,” he said.

He also blamed Godstone Farm for relying too heavily on the actions of the public, primarily through handwashing, to control the risks.

“It is currently very difficult for families to make their own informed decisions about the risk of visiting an open farm and better public education is crucial,” he said.

Apart from an Approved Code of Practice, the Griffin Report has called to increase public awareness around potential infection risks and for public authorities to work together to regulate open farms.

Terry Jones, NFU acting director of communications, welcomed the Griffin recommendations which he said were underpinned by a desire to provide measures that were ‘practical and proportionate’.

“This is essential if we are to avoid draconian regulations which could limit the current access to and enjoyment of farms by tens of thousands of people each year,” he said.

Already the National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN) has set up a committee to draw a code of practice with input from regulators and the industry.

There are around 1,000 farms attractions across Britain and collectively they receive over 5 million visitors per year.

Apart from the educational value, the farm attraction business is also a significant part of the rural economy pulling in over £12 million a year.

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