The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) is urging dog owners and walkers visiting rural areas to follow the Countryside Code, amid the loosening of certain lockdown rules.
Today’s call comes as the UK’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions are partially eased by the government from tomorrow (Wednesday), with being outdoors seen as less of a risk than other activities in spreading the virus.
The government has said people will be allowed to take unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise, sit or sunbathe in public areas, and drive to other destinations to exercise. This could potentially lead to an increase in dog owners and walkers in the countryside.
The CLA South East office, which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, is offering advice to visitors to enjoy rural areas responsibly at this time.
The renewed call comes after numerous farmers have suffered abuse by walkers not sticking to footpaths, trampling on crops, and not keeping their dogs under close control around livestock.
CLA South East Regional Director Michael Valenzia said:
“The CLA recognises the enormous benefits to the nation’s wellbeing from being out in the countryside and close to nature. It is one of the most important ‘public goods’ provided by farmers and landowners.
“Visitors should maintain social distancing and not veer off sign-posted footpaths. Those using the countryside should, especially under current circumstances, be conscious that it is also a place of work where the land, livestock, machinery, wildlife and environment must be respected.
Article continues below this advertisement “We would advise owners to keep their dogs under close control when walking through fields of livestock, particularly sheep at this time of year, and to always stick to public rights of ways.
“It is also important that dogs should also be adequately controlled in arable fields. It is irresponsible to let dogs roam free, causing damage to crops that contribute to the country’s food supply.
“The Countryside Code is generally adhered to by the majority of people, but there are a few worrying trends either based on anti-social behaviour or a lack of awareness of the working countryside.
“Some spaces and places remain closed, with many public car parks shut, so it is best to check your intended destination is open and accessible before travelling.”
3 top tips for those using the countryside:
- Livestock worrying by dogs not adequately controlled by their owners is on the increase. Even the best-trained family pet can chase sheep and wildlife if not kept under close control. Also, clear up after your dog.
- Fly-tipping is a blight on the landscape and can cost £900 per incident to clear away, at the farmer’s expense. Please ensure you take your litter home with you and dispose of bulky waste through proper legal channels.
- When riding a bike or driving a vehicle, slow down or stop for horses, walkers and farm animals and give them plenty of room. By law, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse- riders on bridleways.
The Countryside Code applies to all parts of the countryside in England and Wales. It aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the outdoors. Follow the Countryside Code here.
Most responsible dog walkers have been walking in these spaces the whole lockdown and following all the rules as we usually do unfortunately it’s a few that give us a bad name.
My sympathies are with the farmers. Some dog owners can be very verbally abusive towards farmers. Their dogs come first. Not in my books – totally fed up with badly trained dogs jumping up on me and getting their muddy paws on my clothes.
Also, although this did happen before lock down – some people were walking not just one or two dogs, but on one occasion a woman had 10. She quite clearly could not control them, as one of her little darlings knocked over my grandson!
I really object to ‘dogs come first’ when it comes to going for a walk. The moat surrounding Carisbrooke Castle is like a dog sewer – gone are the days when, as a child, you could roll down the hill into the moat!
Fed up of dog owners and dogs getting privileges over other people who just want to go for a walk!
So, what exactly has changed ?? Nothing.
No Johnny nothing your right, but the powers at hand are trying to program you to accept being told about everything in your life, so you get use to them telling you ,what why and when, without hesitation or disobedience ,even if you know it’s either common sense, or nothing has changed.
Mr Justice, I totally agree with you and I suspect many others do to, (the silent majority)
Most here are brainwashed and subservient anyway, if told to jump their only question would be “how high” instead of WHY.
oh for gods sake, like walkers will destroy crops, come on farmers, get a life, oh yes I forgot you have a cushy one already. When fox hunting was legal it was fine for horses and dogs to crush everything around including healthy protest. Grow Up.
Fear not, the council and there close developer friends will soon concrete over the green fields anyway.
Farming is all but dead here, few livestock, and less crops, just fodder for the bio plant rip off running from EU subsidises for the German owners.
Sad state of affairs for a once agriculture area.
More money in building land, industrial parks, and children’s play areas than in producing food.
Lets hope unemployment, and coming poverty changes it for the better.
Make sure dogs are kept on a lead when around livestock. We don’t want to hear of dog attacks on sheep and lamb.