The code is broken – so let’s fix it!

It’s impossible to become inured to images of ewes and young lambs that have been savaged and hounded to death by dogs. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve written appeals by the farming industry for dog walkers to keep their pets on leads in fields or anywhere near livestock, particularly during lambing time, yet harrowing reports of the consequences when a dog follows its natural instinct have become almost commonplace in this newspaper.

The incidence of dog worrying appears to be on the increase even though there is no longer any excuse for anyone to be ignorant of the impact their animal can have on farm stock.

No wonder the industry’s patience is at breaking point. Quite apart from the distress and financial loss they face, farmers can’t risk compromising animal welfare, particularly – as we learned this week – when Edinburgh councillors think children need to have a Meat Free Monday in order to be made aware of the “poor standards” in which some animals are farmed.

But threaten locked gates and barbed wire if the situation doesn’t improve?

That’s probably not such a smart idea when the industry’s negotiators are at the beginning of what’s likely to be an uphill battle to convince taxpayers that farmers deserve financial support once the Common Agricultural Policy no longer delivers.

Surely George Lawrie’s conclusion that a review of the access code is required is the reasonable course to take. He was involved in the negotiations 12 years ago and claims there was an assurance given that a review would be conducted 18 months after the launch. That has not happened.

The Scottish Government said yesterday it had “no plans” for a review. Ministers need to take a long look at the pictures and think again.