FARMERS could be risking fines running into thousands of pounds because they do not understand the rules governing the commercial use of drones.

As unmanned miniature aircraft proliferate above farmland, rural insurer NFU Mutual has issued guidance to bring landowners and farmers up to speed with the realities of using flight-capable of machines for business purposes.

To help farmers understand the rules, NFU Mutual has worked with the Civil Aviation Authority, rural police forces, and agricultural specialist providers such as DroneAG, to produce guidance on drone use, and provide appropriate insurance.

“As the potential for drones to be used for more tasks in modern agriculture increases, we are getting many enquiries from farmers about insurance and their legal position,” said NFU Mutual farm technology specialist, Charlie Yorke.

“Drone technology is developing fast and is already offering exciting possibilities – including precision application of crop treatments – and detailed surveying.

But he said it was 'worrying' that some farmers buying a drone don’t yet realise that there are laws which have to be observed when flying them, particularly when they are receiving money for flying their drone as a service to other farmers.

“As drones use becomes more common in farming it is increasingly important that operators know the laws on licensing, insurance and safe operation to avoid accidents and penalties for infringing regulations," said Mr Yorke. “In the case of a farmer surveying his own crops with a view to alter how he would manage the crops, either by spraying or cultivating, this would not be classed as a commercial operation – it is classed as a non-recreational flight. Insurance is required, to cover the third party liability risks, but a permission for commercial operations is not needed.

"However, if the farmer charged his neighbour to survey his neighbour’s crops, then this would be classed as a commercial operation and the relevant permission and commercial insurance is required."

Key guidance for drone users includes:

• Get to know the Civil Aviation Authority’s 'Dronecode' at www.dronesafe.uk ;

• Drones used for non-recreational purposes (e.g. farmer surveying his own land) must still be insured for third party liability in accordance with regulation EC 785/2004;

• Drones used entirely for non-commercial purposes may be insured under a home and contents policy – but it is essential to check the position with your insurer beforehand;

• Drones used for commercial purposes require a specific permission to be issued by the CAA. Adequate insurance is a pre requisite for any CAA permission;

• Commercial use of a drone is defined in UK law as any flight by a small unmanned aircraft performed under a contract between an operator and a customer, in return for remuneration or other valuable consideration.