Countryside Code has worrying holes | Letter

Phil Stocker of the National Sheep Association says the shorter version of the code is not clear enough about the need for dogs to be kept on leads

We are experiencing more pressures from visitors to the countryside, and it would be churlish not to welcome the refreshing of the Countryside Code by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales (Report, 1 April). But in my experience the consultation and involvement of stakeholders has been inadequate, and as a result it falls short of the mark in terms of what is needed. Most importantly, there are significant gaps between the information contained in the longer version (that few people will read), and that contained in the shorter version.

Of particular concern to sheep farmers in England and Wales will be the failure to advise that dogs should be kept on leads in the vicinity of livestock. To simply suggest a dog should be in sight" when its behaviour around livestock could be unpredictable will not prevent livestock being attacked by dogs. It is also a missed opportunity to inform people that the majority of our countryside, including national parks, is farmed and privately owned, and that with rights goes responsibility.
Phil Stocker
Chief executive, National Sheep Association