Grazing 'stopping moor walkers'

Advertisement

'Cow row' over moors grazing

A scheme allowing cattle to graze on moors is spoiling land and discouraging walkers, moor users in Cornwall say.

Under the Natural England Environmental Stewardship Scheme, cattle are allowed to graze on land, often near footpaths, in a bid to encourage wildlife.

The Save Penwith Moors group said it had resulted in more fences being erected. Occasional confrontations with grazing animals have also occurred.

Natural England said the scheme helped endangered species flourish.

The Environmental Stewardship Scheme allows farmers to earn payments for making their land more hospitable to wildlife, including land which has traditionally just been used by walkers.

There are far few people walking these areas Ian Cooke

Conservationists said grazing helped protect the natural habitat because it controlled undergrowth, which encouraged insects, which, in turn, helped feed other birds and animals.

Peter Bowdon of Natural England said one example of how the scheme had benefitted Cornwall was by it helping the return of its signature bird, the chough, which features on the Cornish coat of arms.

It returned to Cornwall in 2001 after a 50-year absence.

Mr Bowdon said: "They were extinct in England for 50 years.

"But now the conditions are just right for them to get their beaks into the ground to feed."

However, walkers said that allowing animals more grazing land resulted in the building of obstacles on moors that had been open for generations.

Moor users said there had been confrontations with animals

Ian Cooke, of the Save Penwith Moors group, said: "In the last year, the Natural England project has erected cattle grids and gates at 10 access points. It's just not acceptable.

"There are far fewer people walking these areas than there were two years ago."

There have also been problems when humans and cattle came face-to-face.

Horse riding instructor Chris Cook said: "Only two weeks ago someone was thrown off their horse when they came across cows and we know people who have been chased by them."

Natural England said it encouraged farmers to be careful of how freely cattle were allowed to move in areas used by people.

It added that people with horses and dogs should observe rules on animal handling so everyone could share the land.