Land owners reject disease advice

Business want new rules for resorts in Pembrokeshire

Landowners in Pembrokeshire hit by foot-and-mouth restrictions have rejected National Assembly guidelines on the disease.

The Countryside Land and Business Assocation said the guidance aimed at encouraging safe access to the countryside was too vague and was open to generating dangerous confusion.

It is unfair on business to make the decision to start trading on their own

Jonathan Andrews, CLA Regional Director

The association said its views were backed by Pembrokeshire County Council, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the National Trust and local tourism enterprises after a crisis meeting at Haverfordwest.

The CLA has instead asked the county council to draw up its own guidelines for businesses to decide if their work would hinder efforts to halt foot-and-mouth.

'Unfair on businesses'

Pembrokeshire CLA director Jonathan Andrews said: "We felt it was unfair on individual businesses in the county to have to make the decision on their own to open up and start trading.

Checking a lamb for signs of the disease

"They have a very sincere concern that they do not want to be held unfairly responsible for causing an outbreak of the disease if it was to occur. That responsibility must ultimately be taken by central Government following its decision to relax the campaign of access restrictions.

"This document would be led by veterinary and scientific advice and would guidance on the risks involved in opening up individual attractions and trading outlets."

Mr Andrews said the Assembly guidance placed too much responsibility on local authorities and businesses for making the critical decisions to re-open rights of way and tourist attractions in the county.