Countryside shut to walkers

27 February 2001



Countryside shut to walkers

By FWi staff

THE government has put in place statutory powers allowing local authorities to close footpaths and rights of way in a bid to control foot-and-mouth disease.

The powers which cover England and Wales came into force at 14.00 on Tuesday (27 February). Similar action will come into force in Scotland.

Seventeen cases of foot-and mouth disease have now been discovered, including five which were announced within hours of the footpath closures.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown said people should avoid any unnecessary visits on farms and especially close proximity with livestock.

The powers apply to individual premises, in local authority areas where disease has been confirmed and other local authority areas with MAFF approval.

Farmers who provide access for the general public to their farmland under the governments green schemes have been told access is no longer expected.

That advice covers the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Access Scheme.

The Ramblers Associations said that every effort would be made to ensure that its 130,000 members are fully aware of the development.

It has cancelled a national series of walking events, due to start in Liverpool on Saturday, 3 March, including the British leg of the European Ramblers Rally

The event was to kick off with an urban walk through Liverpool before a set of relay rambles over the 200-mile Trans-Pennine Trail.

People are being urged to stay away from the countryside even in areas which are so far not directly affected by the foot-and-mouth disease.

Stuart Crooks, director of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said management of the trusts reserves was postponed. “All of our nature reserves are now closed,” he said.

“We know that many people enjoy our reserves for recreation and walking, but we are sure they will understand the need for this ban.”

Essential work in risk areas will only be carried out taking precautionary measures such as disinfecting boots and wheels, said Mr Crooks.

Sporting fixtures have also fallen victim to the epidemic.

Horse racing has been suspended because of the disease and will not resume until next Wednesday (7 March) at the earliest, said the Jockey Club.