IT IS time for a review of the 2003 Act granting public access rights to private land, NFU Scotland said this Taking part in a Scottish Parliament discussion regarding the effective implementation of the access rights, the union backed the suggestion that the newly-formed Scottish Land Commission might consider a review of the access legislation and the accompanying Scottish Outdoor Access Code within its first strategic plan.

Policy manager Gemma Cooper commented: “For the most part, NFUS members recognise the important role that outdoor access plays in bringing money into the rural economy, and public access is now accepted as part of daily farming life.

“Many of the individuals exercising their right of access do so in a responsible manner, however it cannot be ignored that this is not always the case, and irresponsible access can cause very real difficulties for the land managers involved. It should be remembered that land managers are making a living from the countryside and access taking can cause practical difficulties which can have financial ramifications.

“The union feels that there should be a requirement on all local authorities to maintain full time access officers, to ensure that they are able to assist with landowners and the public where issues arise," said Ms Cooper. “Funding should be available and ring-fenced for the maintenance of the path network, and a requirement placed on local authorities to implement this maintenance to ensure that paths are kept to a suitable standard for access takers. This will protect both access takers and land managers from potential litigation.

“Irresponsible access takes many forms, with the most commonly reported issues being livestock worrying, damage to standing crops, and cumulative impacts of access takers. The legislation and code have been in place since 2003, and we feel it is time for a review to take place.”