Walkers and farmers must work together to avoid damage to
crops and wildlife habitats; so use a pair of wellies and stick
to the footpaths, says rural body
Crops are being damaged nationwide as a result of walkers not
keeping to public footpaths, the Country Land and Business
Association (CLA) has said.
With the nation still in lockdown, many people are finding solace
in taking a walk in the countryside; but farmers across the
country are reporting increasing damage to crops and wildlife
habitats caused by walkers not following the Countryside Code.
Mark Bridgeman, President of the CLA, said:
“It is perfectly natural, in times such as these, for people to
want to enjoy the countryside. They are genuinely welcome and we
encourage people to enjoy the thousands of miles of footpaths
available to them. But we need to work together to ensure the
public can have an enjoyable time while also protecting farmland,
animals and wildlife.
“Land is very wet at the moment and likely to get worse before
the Spring, with heavy rain forecast, and with so many walkers
enjoying the countryside, public footpaths have become very
muddy. Unfortunately, that means many are circumnavigating the
mud and walking over planted crops, damaging food crops and
impacting farmers’ businesses. Our advice is to use a decent pair
of wellies - or walking boots - and stick to the route of the
footpath.
“It’s always best when we work together. Farmers are working hard
to feed the nation so let’s help them by sticking to the public
right of way and following the Countryside Code.”
There are 150,000 miles of public footpaths in Great Britain,
much of which is maintained by landowners and farmers across the
country for the public’s benefit.
Members of the CLA, which represents 30,000 rural businesses
across England and Wales, also warned of an increasing problem
with dog attacks on livestock, with several reports of sheep
being killed by dogs that had been let off their leads on open
farmland.
