Farming must retain a focus on safety standards when utilising new technologies, NFU Vice President Gwyn Jones told the UK AD & Biogas event today.

Mr Jones reaffirmed the union’s commitment to improving safety for all farming activities, and encouraging use of the expertise available from organisations signed up to its Farm Safety Charter, when he spoke at the ‘Life cycle of an AD plant’ conference, running alongside the event.

Jones said, “Biogas plants are significant projects, and adequate planning and preparation is vital to ensure a well-functioning and safe plant. Risk assessments, site safety and training are all crucial elements of an overall safety strategy that must be in place before beginning operations.

“When dealing with new technology, safety is not something we can afford to ignore, even though many of the hazards associated with AD (anaerobic digestion) are the same as for other farming activities.

“It is important to develop best practice alongside the new technology. To support this, the NFU has been working with the Health and Safety Executive to prepare a business guide for its members on the key aspects of safety when installing, constructing and using AD technology.

“We hope that this document will add to the suite of guidance and expertise provided from organisations committed to the farm safety charter and will help to make our farms safer places.”

The Farm Safety Charter was launched in May this year and is a commitment from organisations across the farming and land based industries to address safety issues. The NFU business guide Safety for AD & Biogas Plants will be available later this year.