Union wants rural access to be reviewed

Scotland’s farming union has called for a review of legislation surrounding countryside access.

NFU Scotland (NFUS) made the comments during round table talks on Scottish access rights at Holyrood.

Speaking following the event, which was hosted by Ramblers Scotland and sponsored by former farm minister Richard Lochhead MSP, NFUS policy manager Gemma Cooper said the Scottish Land Commission should consider a review of access legislation and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Instances of “irresponsible access” include livestock worrying and damage to standing crops.

“Many of the individuals exercising their right of access do so in a responsible manner, however it cannot be ignored that this is not always the case, and irresponsible access can cause very real difficulties for the land managers involved,” said Ms Cooper.

“It should be remembered that land managers are making a living from the countryside and access taking can cause practical difficulties which can have financial ramifications.”

She said the union believed there should be a requirement on all local authorities to maintain full-time access officers to assist both landowners and members of the public where issues arise.

Ms Cooper added: “Funding should be available and ring-fenced for the maintenance of the path network, and a requirement placed on local authorities to implement this maintenance to ensure that paths are kept to a suitable standard for access takers. This will protect both access takers and land managers from potential litigation.”

Gemma Cooper is policy manager with NFU Scotland.