Recent tragedies have focussed attention on walker safety on rights of way in fields where livestock are present, especially those containing cows with calves at foot. In late October, the Chairs of six local Ramblers Groups, led by Northallerton and Richmondshire, wrote to Tanya Curry, CEO of Ramblers expressing concern and urging greater proactivity from the national organisation to increase walker safety. That letter can be viewed (click here) and her reply (click here). It was clear before we sent our first letter that Ramblers were mainly  concerned about the need to follow “due process” in diverting paths to avoid cattle and were playing down the risks from cattle.  Subsequently, a follow-up letter was sent to Ms Curry, (click here). Her  second response (click here ) demonstrates that we have made progress in that Ramblers are now more engaged in addressing our concerns and working jointly with other parties such as the Health  & Safety Executive.  This is acknowledged in our third letter, (click here ) to Ms Curry.

Contact has also been made with the Health and Safety Executive ( click here ), given its key role. The HSE acts both as creator of policy and guidance with respect to livestock and walker safety and as the investigative and enforcement agency with regard to the relevant legislation. We did not consider their initial response satisfactory (click here),  as set out in a  further letter to the HSE (clickhere) 

Other organisations, including local authorities, the National Farmers, Union and the Country Landowners Association are seen as stakeholders in the issues surrounding  public safety and livestock.

A final exchange with both HSE and Ramblers can be viewed here.

In addition to  correspondence, discussions have taken place with policy leads at both Ramblers and the HSE. These have focussed on trying to promote beneficial action through cross-agency working. It is hoped that these contacts will lead in the first instance to greater compliance with existing guidance, but in future to the extension of the current legislation covering public access to the countryside and livestock. We are also keen that walkers are actively encouraged to report incidents with livestock and given efficient means to do so.

We intend to monitor progress and become involved as necessary.  Developments will be  reported here as they happen. In the meantime, Ramblers website is a useful source of guidance and advice for walking safely with livestock. It also contains links to other relevant organisations such as the HSE. Click here to have a look.

George Bateman