Open farms hit back over bug report

'Open' farms are fighting back against a report on the E Coli risk which opened the door for heavy bureaucratic control.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Jun 2010, 16:36 BST

Updated 18th Jun 2010, 16:36 BST

The report on last year's outbreaks of infection by a bad strain of the bug is seen as a threat to "sterilise" the farm visit experience.

Former teacher Carol Clark, who runs the Big Sheep Little Cow centre at Bedale, told the Yorkshire Post too much onus was being put on the farms. Parents and teachers had to agree to take the risks and ensure precautionary hygiene.

For the full Yorkshire Post report, see

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/farming-news and follow the links.

That report said Big Sheep Little Cow had closed last year and this after cases of E Coli. Mrs Clark says none of the cases were definitely traced back to her farm and she never had to close – only cancel some activities.

CW 19/6/10