rural ebulletin - September 2011
Welcome to the September edition of our Agriculture and Rural group's
quarterly ebulletin.
In this latest issue, the articles that have been written by a
variety of solicitors at the firm cover topics including horse and
trap accidents, The Agency Workers Regulations 2010, non-authorised
GMOs in animal feed, the reduction of Campylobacter in
chickens, agricultural risks with overhead power lines, the
enforcement of the natural environment in relation to planning law,
farm diversification projects and a case regarding The National
Trust.
Click on the links below to read the articles in full.
The European Commission has recently adopted a Regulation harmonising implementation of the zero-tolerance policy on non-authorised genetically modified (GM) material in animal feed.
It is unusual to see reports of accidents involving a horse and trap and even more unusual to see personal injury cases involving them.
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has recently published a scientific opinion assessing the public health impact of control measures that could be used to reduce the occurrence of Campylobacter in chickens and chicken meat.
The High Court has handed down its decision in this tragic case that was viewed as an important test case for landowners who open up their properties to the public.
If you have been considering a new diversification project for your farm recently, then why not consider a new initiative to encourage schools to visits farms.
Natural England is consulting until 30 September 2011 on the details of the new enforcement regime to protect wildlife and conservation areas, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and breaches of the Agriculture EIA Regulations.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance document on safe working near overhead power lines in agriculture, each year on average two agricultural workers are killed from electric shocks and more are injured, suffering serious burns, when they come into contact with overhead power lines (OHPLs) at work.
The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) come into force on 1 October 2011. To a large extent the burden of the AWR will be borne by temporary work agencies. However, employers who use agency workers must be aware of their new obligations and have appropriate procedures in place to avoid potential claims.
For further information please contact Mark
Charter, head of Blake Lapthorn solicitors Agriculture
and Rural group on
mark.charter@bllaw.co.uk or call 023 8085
7116.
If you would like to receive future updates, please
contact Ian Binns on ian.binns@bllaw.co.uk
or call him on 01865 254267.
