Public footpaths and trespass highest on farmers list of safety concerns

Farmers have raised concerns about how they should manage walkers on their land through trespass and public rights of way.

It came after Cornish Mutual, a south-west rural insurance company covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, held a series of events to discuss on-farm health and safety issues to ultimately reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in agriculture across the region.

The events found the most critical issue surrounded what farmers were and were not allowed to do on their own land.

Cornish Mutual member services advisor Arthur Denton said: “It was clear to us from very early on that members and non-members needed clarification on the law surrounding the rights of the land owner when it comes to the public.

“Farmers want to make sure that they are acting in the most responsible way, so that they can run their business properly and that the public can access the land safely and legally.”

New legislation

Many farmers and landowners should soon be paying reduced fees as a result of changes to footpath regulations as of December 1.

The changes mean landowners no longer have to pay ’cost per notice’ fees when protecting themselves against the creation of a new public right of way, potentially saving them hundreds of pounds.

Strutt and Parker land agent Charles Wadsley said: “It enables landowners to protect themselves against claims for public rights of way made solely on use.

"If no public rights of way exist it is still worthwhile submitting an application to protect against any rights of way being made in the future. However, up until now, the costs and the public statement of intent proved off-putting to many.

"The changes introduced this month should encourage landowners to make submissions. It should now be cheaper for them and they will not have to show their hand.”