The best way for farmers to maintain the countryside is to grow food
SIR – Opening agricultural land for public access (report, January 4) is a double-edged sword.
It is better to pay subsidies for farmers actually to grow crops and raise livestock to provide food. Britain should become self-sufficient in milk, beef, lamb, pig-meat, potatoes and cereals, so that we don’t have to import significant quantities.
Self-sufficiency is the best way to encourage farming families to stay on the land and maintain the countryside. Farming is not just a bit of fun, it is our single most important industry.
Ipswich, Suffolk
SIR – Plans by Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, to open up the English countryside and reward farmers for doing so will be welcome news to the outdoor-loving public.
Our organisations recognise the difficulties that walkers, horse-riders and cyclists may experience when trying to explore the countryside. We are therefore keen to work with Mr Gove and his department to ensure subsidies are suitably targeted where they will bring the greatest benefit.
The rural economy needs boosting and these changes will help achieve this. They will bring more people to visit and spend money in England’s natural environment – and, perhaps most importantly, enjoy its beauty. Mark Weston
Director of Access, British Horse Society Roger Geffen Policy Director, Cycling UK Kate Ashbrook General Secretary, Open Spaces Society Vanessa Griffiths Chief Executive, Ramblers
SIR – Although Mr Gove has admirable intentions, I fail to see how improving public access will lead to a better environment for wildlife. At least 80 per cent of the people who walk the footpaths in this area have a dog or two with them.
Many seem to think agricultural land is one big dog exercise area. They let dogs off the lead and fail to pick up after them. Dog faeces can be dangerous to cattle. Continual disturbance by dogs is also very detrimental to low-nesting birds.
At least with the present footpath network, people can enjoy the countryside with the dog on a lead, and farmers can point the errant ones to the correct place to walk.
Peter Harraway
Chippenham, Wiltshire
SIR – The continuation of farmers’ payments until 2024 will bring relief
to many worried about Brexit trade talks and future import competition.
But planting more woodland and creating wetlands, combined with land lost to housing, diminish our ability to feed the fast-growing population. Suzanne Greenhill
Bishop’s Cleeve, Gloucestershire
SIR – Under Mr Gove’s new system, will it be possible for farmers like me to opt out of payments altogether, save all the associated paperwork and not have to allow the public access to the farm?
We could then run our foodproduction businesses much more safely and simply: no more dogs, litter or anorak-clad walkers – bliss. David Corp
Shepton Mallet, Somerset