Be careful if walking near farms

FARMERS have called for clearer advice for people visiting the Welsh countryside and taking their dogs for a walk.

Farm footpaths were swamped the weekend before last and in Derbyshire one farmer was beaten as he tried to disinfect a gate.

In Capel Curig a farmer witnessed five dogs worrying his sheep on his holding.

A stay-at-home policy has since been put in place but people can still take one form of exercise each day.

The FUW said there is concern amongst farmers that visitors are bringing coronavirus to previously clean areas.

FUW president Glyn Roberts said a particular concern were footpaths going through farmyards or close to houses.

Often gates and styles were being touched by dozens of walkers each day – as well as by farmers themselves as they go about their work.

In a letter to ministers, Mr Roberts said: “We would ask you to urgently review current access policies to minimise the risk of transmission.”

The union stopped short of calling for an outright access ban as it wants policy to be guided by medical advice.

Neither does it want to alienate consumers.

It hopes visitors will at least be mindful of the risks and practise good biosecurity, such as not touching gates with bare hands.

NFU Mutual claimed some farmers were being forced to patrol flocks at lambing time to prevent attacks by dogs.

It urged homeworkers to ensure their gardens are pet-proof as escapees are a major cause of livestock attacks.

Ceredigion last Wednesday urged walkers to stay off coastal and farm paths.