Top walking charity condemns vandalism of FMD footpath signs
[13 September 2007]
The Ramblers’
Association (RA) today (
The national
walking charity is confident that its members are not involved
in this activity. When foot and mouth closed down the
countryside in 2001 walkers obeyed the official closure notices
in order to support the farming community.
The RA accepts
the necessary footpath closures that the Department for Food and
Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have made and welcomes the government's
efforts to keep the wider countryside open.
DEFRA have a
protocol for closures, which states that a proportional approach
will be taken, with access restrictions kept to a minimum. The
RA was consulted on and approved the guidance for visitors to
infected premises, which seeks to manage the biosecurity risks
associated with an animal disease outbreak.
Kate Ashbrook, chairman of the RA, said: "It is disappointing to
hear that people are vandalising signs when co-operation is very
much needed to eradicate this terrible disease”.