Advice from the friendly farmer

Most of us have experienced uncertainty around footpaths on farmland – and we’re doing it more thanks to travel restrictions. But relax! Heather Parrish from Bedfordshire is a farmer and 1000-miler, and she’s here to help...

Obstructing a footpath is a criminal offence. A landowner, farmer, or occupier of land with a public right of way across it must avoid putting obstructions on or across the route, such as fences, electric fences or padlocked gates. They should make sure vegetation does not encroach on the footpath. But the upkeep of stiles and bridges is the Council’s responsibility

A field-edge footpath mustn’t be ploughed and should be 1.5m wide. The farmer is allowed to plough, cultivate and plant a crop over a footpath that goes across a field but must re-establish a one-metrewide footpath within 14 days.

Walkers must stick to the route of the footpath. Even if the grass margins or field edges, which has often been established as a wild flower and conservation areas, looks more appealing, if you walk on them you are trespassing.

Waymarker posts are usually the responsibility of the local council.

If the route is not clear please contact the local council.

Dairy breed bulls are not allowed in fields with cross-field footpaths. But bulls of other breeds can be kept in a field with cows or heifers. Please keep dogs under tight control – even on arable fields where they disturb nesting birds. Always keep dogs on leads on footpaths through fields of sheep.

If in doubt, stick to the path that’s on the map. And don’t forget – mud is the weather’s fault not the farmer’s. We find our cross field paths get wider and wider, leading to considerable crop damage. Please do stick to the meter-wide path.

Do communicate with farmers if you have an issue. We’re by no means all ‘angry landowners’ and are happy to listen to and address reasonable issues. After all, farmers love the countryside as much as you do – we just have to make a living from the land too.