Case studies highlight worries over fresh spike in access and flytipping issues

With the second phase in lifting lockdown restrictions due, and larger groups likely to be permitted to meet outdoors, a new wave of people taking access in the countryside is expected.

To coincide with this and to help inform the public about farming activities that they may come across while taking access, linking those to food production and the countryside, NFU Scotland’s Next Generation has produced a new range of colourful posters for our members and will launch these in the next few days.

Many of the thousands who have accessed the Scottish countryside in the past 12 weeks have done so responsibly and recognised the need for farmers and crofters to look after livestock and grow crops safely during this exceptional crisis.

However, there is an irresponsible minority spoiling it for the majority. A catalogue of incidents and case studies compiled by the Union show how difficult this period has been for many farmers, especially those on the urban fringe.  The Union has recorded:

• People ignoring Government recommendations and travelling considerable distances to take access.
• People walking through fields of cows with calves or ewes and lambs with dogs off the lead.
• Failing to pick up dog poo and, in some instances, bagging dog poo then throwing it into fields.
• People accessing farm buildings and farmyards.
• Abandoning vehicles in gateways and farm roads to go for a walk or cycle.
• Ignoring requests to use hand sanitiser when opening and closing farm gates.
• Failure to take litter home.
• Taking access across fields of crops, such as wheat and barley rather than walking round.
• Gates not being left as they found them.
• Groups holding picnics and parties, often with dangerous barbeques.
• Arson, vandalism and property and posters being destroyed.
  

Sadly, Scotland’s countryside has also continued to be used as a dumping ground.  In the first stage of lockdown restrictions being lifted, local authority recycling centres have only re-opened to some bagged waste which means reports of fly-tipping continue to grow.

The actions of some have seen them target fields, laybys and lanes to dispose of commercial building waste, household waste, unwanted furniture and appliances and DIY remnants.  Garden waste has been getting dumped and that poses a huge risk to the health of livestock.  The key messages from the Union are:

• Please leave gates as you find them.
• Leave no trace - don’t’ damage crops and take your litter home with you.
• Be aware of livestock and keep your dog under control.
• Adhere to signage requests
  

NFU Scotland Vice President Charlie Adam said: “We continue to see a significant increase in the numbers accessing and safely enjoying the countryside, many of whom will be new to the outdoor experience.

“Farming operations and the production of food have continued throughout the crisis, giving people the opportunity to see the working countryside in action and learn a bit more about where their food and drink comes from.  However, the work and effort that many of our members have put in this spring to keep plates and glasses full has been spoiled by the poor behaviour of a minority.

“The majority of people are as appalled as we are at the catalogue of destruction, vandalism, livestock worrying and flytipping we have sadly seen in recent times.

“To help inform the public about farming activities that they may come across while taking access, and link those to food and the countryside, NFU Scotland’s Next Generation has produced a new range of colourful posters for our members and will launch these in the next few days.”  

Member Case Studies

Mark Thomson, Tillyrie, Milnathort, Kinross
With a core path running through the farm steading, and a past member of the local access forum, Mark Thomson knows what is in the Scottish Countryside Access Code and thinks it is time for review.

“When passing through the farms, most local access takers continue to stick to the core path and shown respect and care anytime we are working with cattle or sheep.  During lockdown, we have had reports locally of some walkers refusing to put dogs on leads when walking through fields of livestock and some wild camping with barbeques when wildfire risk was extreme.  We also had one couple, early on during lockdown, walking round the farm having driven almost 30 miles from Edinburgh.  They hadn’t grasped the requirements of lockdown and returned to their car when asked to do so.

“Speaking from experience, I think there is a need for the access code to be updated.  It needs to be better balanced in terms of the needs of those taking access and those who live and work in the country, particularly those who keep livestock.”

Sandy Henderson, Boat Farm, Kintore
Lockdown for Sandy Henderson has seen him endure arson, vandalism and flytipping and receive insufficient support from Police Scotland and his local authority.

“I’ve seen vandalism, people having parties, barbeques and bonfires and gates being thrown open, damaging a vehicle.  I have had cyclists in the middle of my barley crops and some people just wandering wherever they want.

“I have printed, laminated and put up posters only to have them ripped up hours later.

“The problems are considerably worse during lockdown and I have had 15 to 20 people an hour passing through the farm.  I hope when lockdown ends that things return to normal.”

Jenny Baillie, Over Dalserf, Ashgill, Lanarkshire
Just when Jenny and her family thought that the flytipping problems in their area could not get worse, lockdown saw roads around the farm turned into one big dumping ground.

“Flytipping is not a new problem for us but it has got considerably worse in lockdown.  The roads near the farm are now home to bathtubs, mattresses, kitchen goods, food waste, rubble, plastic piping and builders waste.  A burnt-out car wrapped in police tape has now been sitting there for three weeks.

“There is a small, yellow sign with the details for the Dumb Dumpers reporting line and stating that there is CCTV in the area,  That isn’t the case, but it would be reassuring if the authorities put it in place and tackled the problem.  Better policing and regular patrols must be a priority.  The fact that we are close to the M74, and the fact that some of this waste clearly isn’t local, would justify the investment.

“Without that action, it will continue to be left to family and neighbours to clear up most of the mess.”

Alistair Hutton, Lochfergus Farm, Coylton, Ayrshire.
The Hutton family has a small fishing loch, as many farmers do, but because of the heightened problems during lockdown have taken the sad decision to withdraw fishing rights.

“We have recently come to the decision that fishing will no longer be permitted at Lochfergus, due to the persistent littering and damage to fences.

“We are aware that the vast majority treat the surroundings with respect, but we cannot tolerate this anymore.

“We put up new signs asking people to act responsibly but the fact that these signs have replaced ones that have been stolen tells you all you need to know about some of the irresponsible people who had been accessing Lochfergus to fish.”  

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006