The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has
written to the Secretary of State for Education, MP, calling for the Countryside Code to be taught
in schools.
It comes following reports of worrying incidents
taking place in rural areas as the country emerges from the
Covid-19 crisis. These include fly-tipping, littering,
trespassing, country lanes being blocked, gates being left open,
dogs chasing livestock and a lack of social
distancing.
There has been a spike in these types of actions
occurring as more people have flocked to the countryside to enjoy
the hot weather since lockdown rules were eased.
CLA President Mark Bridgeman
said:
“The countryside is a wonderful place and we want to
see everybody enjoy it. But we also want them to be safe,
and respect the countryside as a place of work.
“A lack of education on how to treat the countryside
has left a generation without a basic understanding of what is an
acceptable and indeed necessary standard of behaviour in a rural,
working environment which produces food for the nation. We all
have a part of to play in improving that understanding, but help
in the classroom would be a great start.
“With the recent problems
arising, including the tragic death of another walker attacked by
cattle, we strongly believe this is the right time to get the
Countryside Code into classrooms. There is an opportunity
for lessons to be learned from the crisis.
“It is imperative we set standards and expectations,
while promoting an ethos of respect for the countryside in
schools up and down the country emphasising the impact it plays
in children’s health, wellbeing and attainment.”
Furthermore, there have
been reports of disposable barbecues in rural areas catching fire
and destroying land and habitat. Reducing the risk of
wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness
is one way in which the risk can be reduced.
The Countryside
Code,
which applies to all parts of
the countryside in England and Wales, aims to
help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the
outdoors.
To read the letter sent to Secretary of State
for Education, MP, click
here
