Breadcrumbs
All of Countryside is Not a No Go Area - 14 March 2001
Ahead of the meeting of the new rural recovery task force today, the rural advocate and chairman of the Countryside Agency, Ewen Cameron said: "Our concern is deepening. The wider rural economy is suffering badly as a result of a dramatic drop in visitor numbers. It could be costing the countryside around £250 million a week in lost tourism and associated business. We need a single, simple message to come from government, supported by the NFU and CLA, which sets out clear guidance to the public on where they can go and what they can do."
The Countryside Agency believes local authorities can help by applying a more rational approach to the closure of rights of way. Its snapshot survey of local authorities has revealed that most have applied a blanket approach - either by closing all rights of way (46), even in towns, or all rural ones (33). Only 15 have attempted to tailor closures to those rights of way which cross land grazed by livestock.
Ewen Cameron said: "It is crucial that the public support the campaign to eradicate this dreadful disease. It is equally crucial that the public understand that many countryside activities do not pose a risk in spreading foot and mouth. Nearly 70% of visitors go to the countryside to visit heritage attractions and theme parks, local restaurants and pubs, or to fish, swim or sail. Yet, the message people are getting is that the countryside is shut. Many of these activities will support the countryside in this time of crisis rather than harm it. We will be discussing with the task force today the practical actions that can be taken to help the public understand the real risks and make better informed judgements about where they can go without risking spreading this disease."
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Note to editors:
For further information or interview with the rural advocate and Countryside Agency chairman Ewen Cameron, please call the press office on 0207 340 2906 / 7/ 9.
The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside.
Tourism is worth £12 billion a year in the English countryside (£9 billion on day trips), supports 380,000 jobs in rural England and underpins 25,000 mostly small businesses.
