How can walkers be safely accommodated where cattle graze on fields crossed by public rights of way (PROWs)? Read our summary, or download our full briefing letter for farmers / landowners.
Summary
If you agree that separation of cattle and people is the safest solution where PROWs cross land grazed by cattle, it is worth spending some time considering the options before spending more money than you need to.
Electric fencing is cheaper and more flexible in use than ‘stock fencing’, but does not provide adequate separation of dogs from cattle.
Diverting a fence, even if legally possible, can be an expensive mistake.
Double-fencing of PROWs which cross fields is not always necessary, and creating the ‘narrowest path you can get away with’ is not always in your own best interests.
Full Letter
Cattle Safety 
Totally agree. But may I feed back a commonly held view in the farming community? I quote: “farmers run a business, whereas the public want to use the countryside for leisure’. Needless to say, I challenged the validity of that view, which I had elicited in a village hall after mentioning the problem when cattle are led back to the fields, but that’s how many farmers think! It’s important to be aware of an challenge such assumptions in our fight for safe use of PROW. If farmers think their right to farm is more important than the right to walk in the countryside, they see no reason to invest in fencing. Farmers and many other rural residents never walk across fields, and those that do are seen as a minority. I would also challenge the notion of walking for ‘leisure’, when the benefits of walking are so wide ranging. But, again, this is how it is perceived by some…
LikeLike
Hi Gaby. We agree. We should be encouraging as many people as possible to get out in the fresh air and do some walking. Good for your physical health and good for your mental health too.
LikeLike
Hi Ruth, really like your ideas for PROWs and you should be congratulated for having the stamina to keep trying for solutions. Unfortunately there remains a big issue where common land is involved e.g Dartmoor/Exmoor. There is no appetite for the H& SAFETY EXECUTIVE or Land Owners etc to tackle the escalating attacks by Cattle on the public and sadly not even deaths are going to motivate them in my opinion. I have took the cowardly option of giving up my favourite pastime because of this issue. BUT admire your site and you ! Well done…..Patrick Morel
LikeLike
Thank you Patrick. I must point out it was my colleague, and fellow COWS member, Jerry, who wrote this excellent article. Yes, common land is a problem, and so is apathy by farmers. We keep on going… best wishes, Ruth
LikeLike