Reacting to the report today (April 3) that famers in Wales have concerns over the number of walkers still using footpaths that cross farmland vital to the country’s food production, Andrew RT Davies said a “common-sense approach” must be taken.
The Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs said:
“Let’s be clear about this, the farming community and Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom have welcomed walkers to their land. But now, with the restrictions placed on people – one outdoor form of exercise a day – there needs to be a bit of give and take.
“I was shocked to see the photograph posted on the Bridgend County Borough Council website yesterday of about a dozen walkers queuing to cross a stile. For a start, they are clearly not adhering to the Government’s instruction to stay six feet apart from each other.
“Farmers are rightly concerned – during this unparalleled pandemic – of people crossing into their fields, fields that are, more than ever, there to put food onto our plates, and to keep the rural economy going.
“Some public footpaths, however, cross people’s homes and gardens, and these really should be kept away from, too. Families and farmers are both telling me that they are getting scared that an influx of people – in some cases more than they’ve seen before – could spread this virus to them.
“I am, however, pleased to see that The Ramblers Association has given sound advice on its website take strong measures to tackle the spread of this virus. It said:
‘[We] ask that walkers respect the closures announced in Wales. We have joined with other prominent outdoor organisations in writing to the Welsh government urging them to keep a focus on helping people to safely access local exercise opportunities near to their homes, while also guarding against unnecessary or inappropriate path and green space closures.’
“So, exercise by all means, but stick to the advice we’ve been given: go out once a day to exercise locally, don’t drive to take your exercise, observe the two-metre rule, and then we will be doing what we can to limit the spread of Coronavirus.”
The statement from The Ramblers can be found here.