NFU Cymru reminds agricultural workers to take precautions as temperatures soar

NFU Cymru is urging farmers and agricultural workers across Wales to take extra care during the current spell of hot weather, warning that prolonged exposure to heat and the sun can pose serious risks to health.

While livestock welfare remains a major concern during heatwaves, the union says those working outdoors should not overlook the dangers to themselves. Farmers, contractors and farm workers often spend long hours exposed to direct sunlight, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and skin cancer.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), ultraviolet (UV) radiation is recognised as an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors. Occupational exposure to UV rays is linked to around one death and five new cases of skin cancer every week in Britain.

NFU Cymru is encouraging employers to ensure staff have access to sunscreen, drinking water and shaded rest areas, while workers are being advised to protect themselves by covering exposed skin and avoiding the hottest part of the day wherever possible.

The union recommends using sunscreen with a minimum SPF15 and reapplying it regularly throughout the day. Wearing lightweight long-sleeved clothing, wide-brimmed hats or neck-flap hats, and taking breaks in the shade can significantly reduce exposure to harmful UV rays.

Hydration is equally important, with workers advised to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Alcohol and excessive amounts of caffeinated drinks should be avoided, as they can contribute to dehydration.

Farmers are also being reminded to monitor their skin for unusual moles or changes in existing marks, particularly those with fair skin, freckles, light-coloured eyes or a large number of moles, who are at greater risk of developing skin cancer.

As temperatures continue to rise, NFU Cymru warns that heat exhaustion can develop quickly. Early symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, heavy sweating, rapid breathing, intense thirst and a body temperature above 38C. Without prompt action, heat exhaustion can develop into life-threatening heat stroke.

To reduce the risk, outdoor work should be planned for cooler parts of the morning or evening where possible, with frequent breaks taken in shaded or well-ventilated areas. Workers should also slow their pace during periods of extreme heat, wear loose-fitting light-coloured clothing and eat foods with a high water content, such as fruit and salads.

The union is also encouraging employers to review working practices during periods of hot weather by introducing additional shaded work areas, increasing the availability of drinking water, allowing workers to remove unnecessary protective clothing during rest breaks where safe to do so, and ensuring staff recognise the warning signs of heat-related illness.

With high temperatures forecast to continue across Wales, NFU Cymru says taking simple precautions now can help prevent serious illness and ensure farms continue to operate safely throughout the summer.

FARMERS across Wales are being urged to take urgent steps to protect livestock as extreme heat warnings raise serious concerns over animal welfare.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency has issued hot weather guidance, warning that heat stress can pose a severe risk to animals and affect productivity during prolonged periods of high temperatures.

NFU Cymru is reminding livestock keepers to check water supplies daily, with animals able to double their water intake during extreme heat. Farmers are also being advised to use extra troughs where needed to reduce competition.

The union says housed animals should have good airflow, with fans used where appropriate and buildings kept well ventilated. Outdoor livestock should have access to natural or artificial shade.

Farmers are also being urged to avoid moving or handling animals unless absolutely necessary. Where transport cannot be avoided, it should take place during the coolest part of the day, with loading density reduced by at least 30 per cent and vehicle airflow maximised.

NFU Cymru has also warned farmers to remain vigilant for blowfly strike in sheep and metabolic diseases such as CCN in cattle.

Rob Lewis, NFU Cymru Livestock Chair, said: “With unprecedented day and night temperatures expected over most of Wales in the next few days, I urge all livestock keepers to follow the APHA guidelines mentioned above to protect the welfare and the well-being of their stock.

“In particular, avoid livestock moves during the hottest parts of the day.”

VOLUNTEER coastguards across the UK are set to lose callout payments, prompting concern over the future resilience of emergency cover in coastal areas such as Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is ending payments of about £11 an hour for Coastguard Rescue Officers attending emergency incidents, following a Court of Appeal ruling that paid callouts meant volunteers could be classed as “workers”.

The decision affects around 3,000 volunteer coastguards who form the backbone of the Coastguard Rescue Service, responding to cliff rescues, mud rescues, missing person searches, water incidents and other emergencies around the UK coastline.

In Pembrokeshire, where communities from St Dogmaels to Tenby, Angle, Dale, Milford Haven, Fishguard and St Davids depend heavily on rapid coastal response, the move is likely to cause serious concern.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are volunteers, but until now have been able to claim modest payments when called away from work, family life or rest periods to attend incidents.

The MCA says the change is needed to protect the volunteer model, while unions and campaigners argue that removing payments could damage recruitment, retention and availability.

GMB Union has described the move as “reprehensible”, saying coastguard officers are often called out in dangerous conditions and at unsociable hours to protect the public.

A parliamentary petition has also called for legislation allowing emergency volunteers to be remunerated without losing volunteer status.

The issue is due to be debated at Westminster on Tuesday (Jun 30), with coastal MPs expected to raise concerns about the possible impact on public safety.

For Pembrokeshire, the debate is particularly relevant. The county has one of the most heavily used coastlines in Wales, with busy beaches, dangerous cliffs, strong tides, mud flats, harbours, marinas and large numbers of visitors during the summer months.

HM Coastguard says the service will continue to provide a robust search and rescue response and that volunteers will still be able to claim expenses.

But critics say the removal of callout payments risks making it harder for ordinary working people to remain in the service, particularly those who lose income when leaving their jobs to attend emergencies.

The Herald understands that concern is growing nationally that the decision could narrow the pool of volunteers able to serve, making the service less representative of the communities it protects.

A spokesperson for the MCA said the agency “deeply values” coastguard volunteers and recognises the significant service they provide.

They added that HM Coastguard would support volunteers during the transition and continue to maintain an effective search and rescue response around the UK coastline.

However, campaigners say the question remains simple: if coastal communities rely on these volunteers to save lives, should they be expected to do so entirely unpaid?

With the summer season now underway, the decision is likely to be watched closely in coastal counties such as Pembrokeshire, where the coastguard is not a distant national service, but a vital part of daily life.