Steps to educate on Countryside Code praised by Shadow Minister

Janet Finch-Saunders MS

The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (08 September) welcomed an NFU initiative to erect signs on farmyard gateposts so as to remind visitors of the Countryside Code, as she urges the Welsh Government to establish a digital campaign that would better educate the public on their responsibilities under the Code. 

After concerns have been raised about an influx of visitors to rural areas, NFU Cymru Members can now order a free small gatepost sign to remind walkers of their responsibilities. The campaign also comes as the Farmers’ Union of Wales said that it received an influx of calls from farmers throughout the lockdown period about members of the public walking across farmland, leaving gates open and letting their dogs run free. 

Commenting on the offer by the NFU, Janet said:  

“This initiative from NFU Cymru is a fantastic and unobtrusive way of highlighting our shared responsibilities under the Countryside Code, and I urge all Welsh members to take up this offer and display these signs on gateposts. 

“Throughout the pandemic period, many farmers contacted my office to highlight their concerns about the negative impact that a sudden influx of visitors can have, with reports of dogs running across livestock fields and farmland gates being left open. 

“We’ve had an enshrined set of rules for visitors to rural regions for almost a hundred years, and whilst these rules have evolved throughout that period, it is a disappointing fact that mass public knowledge of these responsibilities has not kept pace. 

“Therefore, I urge the Welsh Government to establish a digital campaign to better educate the public on the Countryside Code. These short videos, which can be produced at little expense to the taxpayer, will pay dividends by supporting us to better respect our rural communities.” 

ENDS 

Notes for Editors: 

You may also be interested in