National Parks and Foot and Mouth
9 April 2001
The Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) has called on the Government to give clearer messages about access in National Parks to counter the deep and wide reaching impact of Foot and Mouth Disease. The availability of access opportunities in the Parks is changing on a daily basis, with National Park Authorities and their partners working round the clock to provide a wide range of recreational activities for the public.
At a meeting of the Council, members spelt out the devastating effects of the outbreak which underlined the links between agriculture, visitors to the Parks and Park based businesses in England and Wales.
Four National Parks (2) were directly affected by the outbreak – with 16 confirmed cases as of Friday 6 April. Dartmoor and the Lake District are particularly seriously affected with 9 cases between them. The long-term effects described included a loss of traditional ways of farming with possible dramatic changes to the landscape. A high failure rate amongst small-scale businesses was predicted. The collapse of semi commercial support services was also identified as critical.
"There is a risk that as the epidemic slowly tails off, there will be a loss of media interest and sympathy, hence perhaps a slackening of the will to heal the wounds. We have to remember that the effect of what has happened is widespread and enormous", said Libby Purves, the President of the Council for National Parks. "And while the wider countryside is important, we have to recognise that National Parks need particular consideration. Conservation is one of the two prime purposes, and hill farming is vital for the landscapes and the balance of wildlife. Recreation is the other core purpose of the National Parks, and while visitors are so restricted, their economies suffer horribly. It’s not just B&Bs and hotel owners but their suppliers, their holiday workforce, local shops – everyone".
"In the early days of the outbreak the Government’s no go message worked quite effectively. Apart from anything else, the weather was pretty awful. But Easter is here, the sun is out, and the situation is now far more complex. The public has shown that it can act responsibly and now should be given clear, scientifically based guidance. Perhaps we need something like a traffic light system red for no, green for go, and amber for places where you observe some restrictions. At the moment, it's a bit of a mess. Clearer messages about what is allowed, from an authoritative body, are now vital".
At the Council meeting, it also emerged that National Park Authorities could not continue work on their own sites and conservation projects were in jeopardy. Public grants awarded for public goods may be soaked up in fees such as equipment hire because access to sites has been denied. Grants to encourage environmentally friendly farming were threatened because grant conditions could not be met.
There was also a devastating effect in National Parks with no foot and mouth cases because the Government’s "no go" rule has been taken up by the public and owners and has been so effective.
The outbreak has closed footpaths and prevented access to many upland areas, closed private estate and public roads and many visitor attractions: museums, visitor centres and other places of interest. Members painted a picture of ghost towns and abandoned hillsides – stock being cleared and visitors staying away in thousands.
Wildlife Sites that depend on grazing to maintain their conservation value are being threatened, particularly the hay meadows that are such an important part of the fringes of many uplands.
The impacts on CNP’s member organisations (3) include:
- 58 of the 87 Youth Hostels situated in the National Parks are closed. The YHA is experiencing losses running into millions of pounds. All seasonal staff have been laid-off.
- Two thirds of National Trust properties are closed. A high proportion are open access sites in National Parks. Losses are currently estimated at £1 million. Trust sites are also home to 745 tenant farms, which are suffering directly.
- 160 RSPB reserves are closed, no vital seasonal survey work with the loss of data and jobs.
- Orienteering events have been cancelled with substantial losses and lay-offs at the British Orienteering Foundation HQ.
- The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers is unable to work in some National Park areas. Redundancies have been necessary due to the financial impact of the crisis. BTCV volunteers, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, no longer have the opportunity to participate.
CNP is pressing for extra funding to be put into National Parks to uphold their statutory purposes in the face of the Foot and Mouth threat. In Wales, where National Parks cover 20% of the land area, CNP is calling on the Chancellor to grant an additional recovery fund to the National Assembly of Wales out of Treasury funds.
CNP is anxious that any recovery funds in National Parks are directed to those whose businesses most directly support National Park purposes and to farming practices that will sustain National Parks in the long term. This is best administered at the local level.
Notes to editors
1 The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2 At the time of issue the Lake District has 8 cases, Dartmoor 1, the Yorkshire Dales 6 and Northumberland 1.
3 CNP has 45 member organisations, including those mentioned in this press release. Others are also affected.
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222