Dog walker’s complaint seals fate of highland cattle

Famous ‘gentle’ herd must leave Peak District home of 40 years after Health and Safety Executive ruling

A PEAK District farmer has been forced to give up his “gentle” highland cattle after a single dog walker complained of feeling unsafe around the herd.

Alex Birch, 32, said his 27-strong herd had roamed on Baslow Edge for 40 years, ever since his grandfather first introduced them to the land as a young man.

Walkers in the national park regularly encountered the red-haired cattle, described as “the most photographed cows in the world”, as they grazed on the bracken. They were even the face of BBC Look North’s weather programme.

But ramblers cannot find the animals on Baslow Edge any more, as Mr Birch has been forced to sell and slaughter his cattle following a complaint to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) from an anonymous dog walker.

The complaint stressed concern after a walker claimed that one of the cows attempted to attack a pet dog.

A petition, which branded the HSE’S decision a “knee-jerk reaction”, has been signed by more than 8,000 people in support of the farmer who owned the herd, which was removed from the 300-acre plot of land in January.

The signatories are also calling for the return of the highland cattle to this area of the Peak District, visited by walkers and photographers and described as “landmarks” by some.

In their absence, Mr Birch now fears that his once-grazed land will become a wilderness and allow the tick population to thrive – causing a bigger risk to walkers than the herd itself.

“The number of people that used to go up there over the years and take photos,” he said.

“They were for people to enjoy more than anything. They’re great for the ecosystem of the land. They ate the long rough grass down and kept it short for insects and birds. They kept the land manageable.

“Now we’re not allowed to keep cows and calves up there, and that’s it.”

An HSE spokesperson said: “HSE has investigated concerns raised in relation to cattle at Baslow. We have worked with the owner of the cattle and the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. We will not be commenting further on this.”

“Villager Jim”, a photographer from Foolow in Derbyshire, regularly took photographs of the cattle. He said: “They’re quite famous here. They’re almost landmarks because so many people go for walks over the moors.

“Highland cows are a very gentle breed and the only time you should ever worry about them is when they’ve got a baby. It’s ridiculous that it comes down to one complaint. The bottom line is that they’d been there for 40 years … they’re completely peaceful animals that everyone enjoys.

“The petition shows there’s a massive passionate feeling that people love these highland cows.”