A farming union has described how Welsh government proposals buried within a consultation will have 'major repercussions' for farmers in the country.
NFU Cymru has been raising awareness of the 'radical' new proposals in the government consultation.
The union fears the Welsh Government proposals buried within the consultation entitled 'Taking Forward Wales' Sustainable Management of Natural Resources' will have major repercussions for farmers.
Proposals include changes to current restrictions on Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) access land to allow organised games, camping, hang-gliding and para-gliding on all access land
CRoW access land extends to 460,000 hectares in Wales. Farmers fear that extending the range of activity could impact the day to day running on farming businesses.
'Alarming reading'
Meirionnydd NFU Cymru County Chairman, Geraint Rowlands, said: “The proposals put forward in this consultation to change access legislation make for alarming reading for farmers in Meirionnydd and indeed many other areas of Wales.
“Meirionnydd is an area that relies heavily on income from tourism and many farmers in particular have diversified into camping businesses, for supplementary income.
“If the proposals to allow camping on any access land (under the CRoW Act 2000) came into force, members of the public could camp anywhere on those 460,000 hectares... for free.
“Along with the obvious monetary impact and the increased liability on farmers, there is also concern that these additional activities could disrupt wildlife habitats, scare animals, create ruts on land and injuries could occur whilst carrying out these activities in remote areas.”
'Consequences'
NFU Cymru said it still wants to see the public enjoy their time in 'beautiful areas' of Wales, but concerns are held about allowing access to camping, organised games, hang-gliding and para-gliding.
They say that this could impact on the running of farming businesses.
Mr Rowlands continued: “Welsh Government is also consulting on proposals to extend CRoW access to include rivers and inland waters and coast and cliff areas as well as allow cycling and horse riding on footpaths.
“I believe the Welsh Government has failed to properly think about the consequences that such proposals could have on the industry and I urge you all to contact your AMs and respond to this consultation to make your views known.”
