Mutual & Federal advises vigilance with firebreaks
More than four-and-a-half thousand hectares of land have been burnt in the Eastern Free State over the past month and farmers without firebreaks could be held accountable for negligence according to Mutual & Federal, a member of the Old Mutual Group.
“Due to an extremely dry winter in some parts of the country, recurring fire outbreaks are unfortunately inevitable, particularly in farming areas”, says Andries Wiese, Group Manager for Agriculture at Mutual & Federal. “Thus there is an urgent need for all farmers to be vigilant about ensuring they protect their own land, livestock and future harvests, as well as that of their neighbours, through the construction of firebreaks.”
With the country having had a good rainy season this past summer, the risk of fires has increased, due to the proliferation of grass, plants and other vegetation. “This vegetation becomes extremely dry in winter, which means there is a lot more fuel for veld fires,” explains Wiese.
Often, farmers use the presence of heavy winds as an excuse not to make firebreaks. However, these winds only intensify the spread of fires and the lack of firebreaks could have a huge impact on the whole country. “All the summer rainfall areas are affected and could be at risk. Cultivated crops, infrastructure, capital equipment, lives and livelihoods are being lost and, without proper construction and maintenance of firebreaks, farmers may be left with a potentially devastating financial scenario,” adds Wiese.
Furthermore, farmers need to understand that even though fire-made firebreaks are the cheapest method of fire control, taking a more expensive route on those windy days could also prove to be more cost-effective than allowing a fire to spread and paying the costs of being negligent after thousands of hectares have been burnt. “There are many other manual and chemical firebreak options available to farmers, which are far more advanced than the traditional method,” notes Wiese. “They may be more costly in terms of time, labour and capital layout, but ultimately can mean the difference between saving one’s livelihood and leaving one’s land to the mercy of the elements.”
In addition, young, developing farmers often do not understand their responsibilities in terms of firebreaks and the prevention of fires. “In these instances, the exposure to fires multiplies. Farmers could suffer losses as a result of not having the adequate firebreaks in place, which are required by law,” adds Wiese.
With all these factors to take into consideration, it is essential that farmers ensure they are adequately covered for losses as a result of fires, not only for their own assets, but also for those of other parties. In the event of a fire spreading to other properties, for example, a landowner can be held responsible for this damage, resulting in a lengthy claim and legal process. “However, with a knowledgeable insurer, farmers can be offered a solution that will entail preventative liability cover, and Mutual & Federal is the only insurer in the country that offers this solution,” explains Wiese.
Preventative liability cover means that, in instances of fire, the damages the landowner could be held liable for can be limited by including firebreaks and other preventative measures in their insurance cover. Wiese concludes, “If a farmer sees that a nearby fire on a property may spread and place properties and people in danger, we are the only insurer that will reimburse them for preventative actions taken to stop that fire from spreading and causing further destruction. This solution eliminates legal proceedings and further losses as a result.”
