Environmental liability

Many machines around a farm require regular checks to keep them in good working condition and to ensure they comply with Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).1

If you are held responsible for an incident that's caused environmental pollution, the Environment Agency has the power to impose cleanup costs upon you. This includes the costs incurred by their consultants or contractors. Accidents happen, so we would strongly recommend you protect yourself against the possibility of causing environmental liability.

As an agricultural contractor, you need to protect yourself against compensation claims made by a member of the public for injury or damage to their property. For example, someone may trip over your tools when you're working and sustains an injury. If you're held responsible, your public liability insurance could cover the legal fees and compensation costs.

Yes, if you are held responsible for a pollution event, the Environment Agency has the power to impose these clean up costs upon you, including the costs incurred by their consultants or contractors and even where the event occurs on your own land. Find out more about environmental liability cover.

We provide a specialist legal expenses cover for farmers that includes: contract disputes, criminal prosecution, wrongful arrest, employment disputes, property disputes, tax, arbitration and agricultural land, Basic Payment Scheme, personal injury and more.

There are so many risks in farming. Injury to your employees or members of the public, damage to your crops, livestock, equipment, theft of property, illness, weather events, legals costs and many more that can hurt your business. Having the correct insurance in place will protect your farm and your business.