Natural England launches new Countryside Code guidance to support farmers and land managers  

• New guidance to support farmers and land managers released to help the public enjoy the countryside in a responsible and respectful way
• Guidance includes advice on making rights of way more accessible, clearer signage, and how to report anti-social behaviour 
• Advice follows the newly refreshed Countryside Code for the public, over 70 years since the first booklet was published in 1951

With more people enjoying the outdoors than ever before, Natural England, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, has today (8 February 2022) set out new guidance for land managers to help them ensure that visitors to the countryside can enjoy it in a responsible way. 

Published under the Countryside Code, the update provides recommendations to land managers on making rights of way accessible, creating safer environments and installing clear signage to help the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside.

The new guidance advises farmers and land managers on how to make land more accessible, for example by adding self-closing gates instead of stiles where possible and using better signage, and how to report anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, littering, livestock worrying and other offences correctly.  These changes will allow more people to access nature safely whilst also supporting land managers and helping to avoid damage to property, livestock and wider anti-social behaviour.

As well as advice for protecting livestock, using machinery in public spaces and the safe storage of chemicals, other key changes include:

• Clearer guidance on keeping rights of way usable, including recommendations for cutting back vegetation and keeping public waterways clear
• Instructions for where visitors can walk freely on open access land or in a coastal margin
• Information about common land and understanding that horse-riding rights are applicable
• The process of reporting anti-social behaviour – criminal damage and threatening behaviour will not be tolerated, and farmers and land managers are advised to contact the police to report any such incidents
• Advice on reporting noise disturbances and fly-tipping to the local authority
• Guidance on managing and protecting livestock, and a reminder of responsibilities when using firearms and fencing
• Advice for creating a safe environment, including the safe storage of bales, logs and the management of trees
• Information on using and storing dangerous substances responsibly

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:  

“With more people than ever before spending time in nature, this refreshed advice for land managers has never been more important in helping to ensure we work together to protect our outdoor spaces. 

“I urge all land managers to follow this new advice and continue to help make nature accessible to everyone, so people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the invaluable health and wellbeing benefits that nature offers, while giving it the respect it deserves.”

Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said:

“We want to ensure that nature is accessible for all, whilst also supporting people to do the right thing when they are visiting the countryside.

“The new advice in the Countryside Code will help farmers and land managers to help the public enjoy the outdoors in a responsible way. I am grateful to all of those stakeholders who have helped shape this updated guidance.”

Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have worked alongside stakeholders, including the National Farmers Union (NFU), Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Country Landowners Association (CLA), to develop advice which offers clear guidance to land managers and ensures the public can enjoy the countryside in a safe and respectful way.

The new advice for land managers follows the publication of the refreshed Countryside Code last year, which was revisited following a growth in people spending time outdoors during the pandemic.

The Countryside Code now covers all green spaces, waterways, the coast and parks in urban areas. To help people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy the countryside responsibly, the public code encourages people to ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’ and reminds visitors to not litter and avoid feeding livestock, horses or wild animals.

The updated guidance for land managers can be found here.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Countryside Code update for land managers will be integrated into the wider, long-term behavioural change campaign, which aims to increase responsible recreation and protect green spaces for the future
• Please see below a partner pack of quotes from Health and Safety Executive, the Moorland Association, Young Farmers, National Park Authority and Country Landowners Association

Young Farmers (NFYC):

Ed Dungait, Vice Chair of NFYFC Council:  

“Understanding the Countryside Code and following its advice helps to protect the countryside and all who work within it, inhabit or visit. We are pleased to help promote this code of good practice.”  

Health and Safety Executive:  

HSE inspector, Dr Stephen Britton, commented:  

“HSE welcomes the inclusion of guidance for landowners in the Countryside Code, which reflects HSE’s promotion of a sensible and proportionate approach to managing safety in the countryside. This guidance provides a valuable framework for landowners to manage risks to visitors and workers so people can work and enjoy leisure time in the countryside safely.”

National Park Authority:  

Tom Hind, visitor management lead for UK National Parks & CEO at North York Moors National Park & lead office said:  

“Over the last two years even more of us have appreciated the benefits of spending time in the countryside and it’s been great to welcome new visitors to our National Parks. Farmers and Landowners have gone out of their way to enable people to enjoy the countryside and it’s important they’re supported with the guidance they need to enable visitors to have a great day out safely and responsibly.

“As a family of National Parks, we’re committed to working with them to make the most of the new guidance” 

Moorland Association: 

Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association said:

“As moorland land managers we welcome the supportive collaboration from government in this guidance to help increasing numbers of visitors make the most of England’s glorious countryside, while crucially safeguarding it for others and those who live and work on the land. The vast majority of visitors leave no trace, but incidents of antisocial behaviour such as fly-tipping and vandalism have increased recently, causing a disproportionate amount of damage.

“There is even the threat to life from the inappropriate use of BBQs on moorland, which can lead to devastating wildfires. The new guidance recognizes these issues and offers constructive advice on how to change unhelpful behaviour and prevent damage to the very thing visitors cherish.” 

CLA:  

Mark Tufnell, President of the Country, Land and Business Association, commented: 

“The CLA is delighted to have played its part in revamping the Countryside Code and will continue working towards making green public spaces accessible and enjoyable for all.

“The Code now offers landowner-specific advice which will be particularly helpful for our members, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to smoothly manage increased public interest in accessing green spaces.   

“Rather than pitting rural communities and visitors against each other, the guidance unites them by focusing on a shared appreciation of our countryside. 

“Most importantly, it outlines how both can work together to enhance it. With over 150,000 miles of public rights of way and 2.5 million acres of open access land in Great Britain, there is so much to enjoy responsibly.”