The Rural Update: Take safety seriously

Viewpoint

With a fatal injury rate of eight deaths per 100,000 workers, agriculture is the UK’s most dangerous industry. Because most of these tragic fatalities occur on working farms, it might be tempting for the owners of less agriculturally focused rural estates to downplay the risks to them or their families. However, the use of quad bikes and other all-terrain vehicles, which can be extremely hazardous without adequate training, is still common. As rural consultant Katharine Beswick points out below, it is much better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to health and safety, even when it’s not required by law.

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Oilseed rape bounce

Rapeseed prices received a welcome nudge last week after Ukraine imposed a 10% duty on exports. However, traders say the uptick may be short-lived and was down to uncertainty around the new tariff at the country’s Black Sea ports rather than any fundamental supply issues.

The headline

Farm fatalities rising

The number of deaths on British farms and estates this year could tragically top 2024’s 27 fatalities, according to figures reported by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).

Since April, there have been 18 fatalities, including two children.

Katharine Beswick of Knight Frank’s Rural Consultancy team says some of her clients have had lucky escapes and advises a proactive approach to health and safety (H&S) by rural landowners to help prevent injuries and potential litigation.

“Even if you are not required by law to have a formal H&S plan because you do not employ enough people or are not considered a trading business, you may well own quad bikes, other off-road vehicles or machinery that can be dangerous when not used or serviced correctly.”

Please contact Katharine for advice on protecting your estate and family. NAAC also has awareness-raising cab and machinery stickers available as part of its Stay Safe campaign.

News in brief

Welsh National Park 

Farmers and landowners interested in having their say on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park have until 8 December to contribute to a final consultation on the plans that opened last week. The consultation reflects boundary changes to the park, which covers the Dee Valley and Clwydian Range, and will be the first new National Park in Wales for 60 years if it goes ahead.

Base rate unchanged

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to keep the base rate unchanged at 4% when it met last week. Two members voted for a cut to 3.75%. Stubborn inflation was blamed for the decision. For help accessing the best borrowing deals for rural property owners, please get in touch with Bradley Smith of Knight Frank Finance.

Barclays’ green loans

Meanwhile, Barclays has announced it will offer reduced lending rates for those managing their land more sustainably. Borrowers looking to take advantage of the 0.3% discount under the bank’s Farm Transition Finance Facility will not need to follow a specific set of protocols. Membership of existing environmental schemes, such as Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive, will be accepted, it says.  For advice on greener loans, please contact Matt Clapp of Knight Frank Finance.

Illegal meat seizures

Last week, The Rural Update shared the concerns of Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee over lax post-Brexit food hygiene and security conditions at the UK’s borders. It has since been revealed that over 10 tonnes of illegal meat were intercepted by the Dover Port Health Authority in just two weeks, more than 300% above last September’s seizures.

Vertical ag challenge

A newly published study from the University of Surrey has shown that vertical farms can deliver greater yields than conventional cropping, but emit more carbon. Yields of lettuce were 20 times higher with water usage eight times lower, according to the research. However, even when powered by renewable electricity, vertically farmed lettuce produced about 0.93 kilograms of greenhouse gases for every kilogram grown, compared with 0.57 kilograms for UK field farms.

Bluetongue restrictions 

Livestock from England’s Bluetongue restricted zone can now be moved to Scotland or Wales without the need for testing, as long as the animals are vaccinated against the virus and are showing no signs of illness. The relaxation came into effect from midday on Sunday, 21 September.

The Rural Report SS 25 – Out now

The Spring Summer 2025 edition of The Rural Report, Knight Frank’s flagship publication for rural businesses, which looks in more detail at many of the issues discussed in The Rural Update, is out now. The new report includes the latest news, research and insights from Knight Frank’s rural property experts, as well as thought-provoking contributions from some of Britain’s most iconic estates. Available online and in print, you can click here to access the full report.

Properties of the week

Cumbrian castle auction

Anybody interested in medieval history has a unique opportunity to acquire one of the only three complete Norman keeps left in the UK. Built in 1100, the keep is part of Appleby Castle, near Boroughgate, which centres around a Grade I listed 12-bed castle with a 100-seat banqueting hall, surrounded by 25 acres of parkland enclosed within 10-foot walls. There is also a separate five-bed wing and three self-contained holiday cottages, plus fishing rights on the River Eden, which borders the castle. The property, which regularly hosts weddings, conferences and other events, will be auctioned on 30 October with a £5.5 million guide price. Please contact Freddie Sandercock or Peter Mayo for more information.

Historic Kent estate home to rent

If you need a place to stay while you get started with your new vineyard, Knight Frank’s Rural Consultancy team in Kent has an intriguing option on offer. Newhouse at Mersham, near Ashford, which was once home to Countess Mountbatten of Burma and Lord Brabourne, is part of the idyllic 2,700-acre Hatch Park Estate. Now available to rent, the nine-bed period property costs £7,995 a month. For more information, please contact Katie Bundle.

Discover more of the farms and estates on the market with Knight Frank

Property markets Q2 2025

Development land – Market weakens

The value of development land continues to fall, despite the government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes during this parliamentary term. According to the newly published Q2 2025 instalment of the Knight Frank Residential Land Index, prices for green and brownfield sites have dropped by 5% over the past 12 months. Lower levels of supply mean values in London slid by just 2.5%. Housebuilders are grappling with planning delays, viability challenges, skills shortages and weak demand, explains Oliver Knight.

Farmland – Uncertainty dominates

Despite cuts to support payments and lacklustre grain prices, the average price of bare agricultural land fell just 2.3% in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest edition of the Knight Frank Farmland Index. “It’s really difficult to discern any clear value trends at the moment because of reduced transaction levels,” says Will Matthews, Head of Farms & Estate Sales. Download the full report for more data and insight.

Country houses – buyers’ market

It’s a buyers’ market when it comes to rural homes, according to the latest research from Tom Bill, Knight Frank’s Head of UK Residential Research. The Knight Frank Prime Country House Index slipped by 2.5% in Q2, the second-largest quarterly decline since Q1 2009. At the same time, the number of properties for sale is up 9% compared with this time last year. On average, there are six prospective buyers for each new instruction, compared with 19 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, while sales are achieving 94% of the asking price. Read more of Tom’s numbers and insight.