Proposals to extend public access to new areas of the countryside in England and Wales could cause damage to wildlife and hit food production, the NFU has warned.
The proposals have been tabled by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas as a Private Member’s Bill in parliament.
Ms Lucas wants MPs to back amendments to the right-to-roam laws or Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (Crow Act), which would allow access to new areas of woodland, wetlands and greenbelt land.
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Having successfully negotiated a first reading, the bill will be debated in the House of Commons on 28 October, followed by a vote of MPs.
The bill has already won the support of a number of MPs and has the backing of public access campaign groups.
Ultimately the amendments could allow greater rights of access to productive farmland and permit camping in fields owned by farmers, according to NFU chief land management adviser Sam Durham.
Waterways and natural woodland are often isolated features and walkers may gain access across farmland to reach them.
Ground-nesting birds could be disturbed and other forms of wildlife, such as rare plants, put at risk in this scenario, he warned.
It also exposed crops to potential damage, while allowing dog walkers to cross fields with livestock would lead to an increased risk of worrying.
Mr Durham was particularly concerned about opening up greenbelt areas.
Areas on urban fringes already experience higher levels of littering, vandalism and problems such as gates being left open. Issues like these would undoubtedly become more widespread if access was increased.
Alternative route
Mr Durham said rather than blanket open-access designations, the NFU would like to see the development of a modern and adaptable approach to public access networks.
The public are already allowed on foot in areas of open country including mountain, moor and down. And there is an existing network of 160,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways in England alone, Mr Durham pointed out.
Together these areas of access could be improved and managed to meet the needs of the public, while protecting food producing businesses, he suggested.
Mr Durham urged MPs to consider these options before making amendments to the Crow Act.
He also encouraged farmers to write to their MPs, giving examples of how increasing access to certain features would potentially result in damage to property, livestock and the environment.
