The Farmers’ Union of Wales today called a Welsh Government decision that fences on the Brecon Beacons should be taken down - despite having been in place for 10 years - as irresponsible.
The fences, erected to help control foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2001, divide parts of the Brecon Beacons, Vaynor and Buckland Commons.
Graziers on the land affected had applied in September 2009 for the fences to remain in place, on the grounds that they continued to be important from a disease control, animal management and environmental perspective, but the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers and the National Trust objected.
FUW’s common land committee vice chairman Dilwyn John, who recently attended a joint meeting of the three graziers associations affected by the decision, said: “A large number of graziers attended the meeting and they were angry and dismayed by the Welsh Government’s decision.
“Taking down the fences will have a major impact on graziers’ ability to manage their flocks and the environment, and will increase the risk of diseases spreading.
“The government has ignored animal health issues and the needs of those who make a living off this land, and has sided with a tiny minority whose only interests are recreational.
“The general public have access to well over a million acres of land in Wales, yet the Ramblers, Open Spaces Society and National Trust are not satisfied. They want these fences taken down even if it means increasing the threat of animal diseases spreading and many extra long hours of work for the graziers in one of Wales’s harshest environments.”
Mr John added that claims the fences impede access and are visually intrusive were nonsense.
“There are stiles and gates at regular intervals and the fences are barely visible. When you talk to walkers in the area the fences are simply not an issue and their main complaints relate to conifer plantations.
“This is clearly a case of a tiny vocal minority being listened to by a government which has ignored the needs of local businesses. The interests of those who make a living off the land and who now rely on these fences should have been the Assembly Government’s priority.”
Mr John’s views appeared to be confirmed in a recent BBC news report in which the presenter stated that “……without a perilous climb down steep sides, it was difficult for our cameras to see [the fence]……”
“If we have another FMD outbreak as in 2001 - God forbid - new fences will have to be erected, and the government’s decision could lead directly to thousands of animals being slaughtered unnecessarily.
“The strength of feeling is running extremely high, and the graziers are currently seeking legal advice regarding their options. The FUW is committed to fighting for the rights of those who rely on these mountains to make a living.”