e coli - statement

A number of e coli infections on open farms were reported in September 2009. FCFCG continues to monitor the situation on behalf of its members, particularly in the event of any change of advice from Government agencies or health bodies about dealing with e coli infection.

We always encourage our member groups to follow good practice regarding hygiene and to ensure that there are adequate bio-security measures such as hand-washing facilities and information for visitors available.

As with all matters of public health, FCFCG members take all necessary action to protect their staff and visitors at all times. In the unlikely event that an e coli infection takes place on one of our member farms, then the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens would recommend that the site be closed immediately while investigations take place.

Further information about e coli infection can be found on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk. There is also information about e coli on the website of the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs at www.defra.gov.uk

A useful document about minimising risk of ill-health on farms which accept visitors is published by the Health and Safety Executive and is available to download using the following link: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais23.pdf

None of the farms which reported e-coli infections are members of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens.