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25 April 2003
SLF accused of lack of fight over access
Andrew Arbuckle
The Courier, Friday 25 April 2003
(Filed 25 April 2003)
www.land-care.org.uk
DESPITE ATTEMPTS by the Scottish Landowners' Federation
to cool the temperature of some of its members on access rights
across land, there are still a number of very concerned owners over
the implications of the Land Reform Bill on their properties.
Yesterday in Perth Dr James Irvine, Cultybraggan,
Comrie, claimed that his whole commercial cattle enterprise was
threatened by increased public access to the fields where his pedigree
beef stock are kept.
Dr Irvine did not believe that the SLF had fought
strongly enough on behalf of livestock farmers faced with more people
walking through their property.
He felt his "substantial investment over
a long number of years" in developing his pedigree and commercial
herds was now jeopardised by members of the public being allowed
to climb over fences, over field walls and then go almost anywhere
on his land.
However, Keith Arbuthnott, a vice-convener of
the SLF and the chairman of yesterday's seminar on access, rejected
the lack of fight allegation, saying he was also a livestock farmer
and the SLF had fought hard to get more protection for those who
keep cattle and sheep.
Commenting on the Land Reform Bill where the changes
to access are included, he stated,
"We did not invent it. We have tried to defend
our members' interests but there are some major, major players out
there."
This comment was pointed in the direction of various
pressure groups who are wanting to open up the Scottish countryside.
Mr Arbuthnott was supported by the SLF access
adviser, Marian Silvester, who comes from the Dumfries and Galloway
area.
This was livestock country, she pointed out,
and if there were restrictions on walking on land where there were
sheep and cattle then there would be very little access in some
areas.
The meeting had been called to find out views
on the consultation document on access which was published late
last month by Scottish Natural Heritage.
This attempts to put into practical detail just
how the new legislation will operate.
However, Andrew Mylius, St Fort Farm, Newport,
who has stood resolutely against the new proposals ever since they
were published by the Scottish Executive, pointed out that listing
"disturbing wild birds, animals and plants" as a criminal
activity was a very loose description.
It was, he remarked, one which could be used to
deny access.
Another landowner expressed his worry that while
access rights did not apply to farm buildings and private houses,
there was little m the way of definition of what was meant by associated
land going with these properties.
Ms Silvester said she thought the legislation
was not particularly well worded but the SLF was now at a position
of arguing the details and not the principles.
She tried to urge all farmers to become more pro-active
and "try to generate a more positive approach" to those
who wished to walk in the countryside.
She reminded members that it was not now a question
of tweaking the basic format of the legislation
The consultation closes on June 30 and Mr Arbuthnott
wanted individuals to put their responses in.
After these reactions are gauged, the proposal
will be considered by ministers and it is expected that it will
become law by early next year.
Andrew Arbuckle
Further Reading Recommended by Land-Care
Mylius, A. (2001). Access: the Reality for Farmers, Landowners,
Foresters and all Rural Residents. LandCare Scotland, 1: 3-18.
(Filed 15 November 2002, www.land-care.org.uk,
click
here to view).
Will Access to Scotland’s Countryside be taken Responsibly?
(Filed 7 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click here to view).
Raeside, T. (2001). Veterinary Hazards to Open Access to Enclosed
Agrciultural Land. LandCare Scotland, 1: 33-34.
(Filed 15 November 2002, www.land-care.org.uk,
click
here to view).
Scottish Outdoor Access Code. SNH Publishes Consultation Document
- 27 March 2003
(Filed 27 March 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click
here to view).
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