THE REMOVAL of a 40-year-old herd of Highland cattle from a moorland in the Peak District hit the headlines this week – sparking an online debate about the public’s right to ‘responsible’ access of the British countryside.

Following a handful of incidents between passers-by and the herd of cattle grazing on the moorland of Baslow Edge in the Peak District – a popular route for walkers, cyclists and photographers – farmer Alex Birch said he was left with no choice but to sell or slaughter his cattle.

The final incident which led to the 30-strong herd being removed was supposedly caused by a dog walker passing by the cows, with young calves at foot, spooking the herd and resulting in him being pinned up against a wall.

Mr Birch spoke with the Scottish Farmer about the stress his family have encountered over the last six months – with many exchanges with the Health and Safety Executive, but a refusal by them to provide further evidence on the incident. They then said that the cattle would need to be removed unless he could commit to building fencing to cover the 300 acres and 6-foot paths.

Mr Birch, who runs the family farm with his granddad David Thorp, commented: “All cows are dangerous when they have a young calf, but that's nature. A dog is the same as a wolf, the same as a predator – it's just protecting its young," he said.

"We moved the cattle on to lower grass fields which they didn’t respond well to, and we’re struggling as it is for fodder. The pregnant ones were sold off, the ones which weren't will be killed. My granddad is deeply, deeply upset. This isn't about the money, it's about the heartache."

Mr Birch stressed the environmental impact removing his cattle could cause to the moorland: “On the other side of the road from our land is around 6000 acres owned by the RSPB which has grass sitting at two-foot-high, dead heather and gorse growing everywhere. The land isn’t managed, and they keep having fires,” he continued. “On our managed land, we have loads of wildflowers and wildlife – Curlews, Grouse, English Partridge, Kestrels and Adders – we have always looked after the natural environment in our own way and now this land is at risk of ending up like its neighbour,” he stressed.

Social media posts have brought dozens of messages of support and sympathy and an online petition calling for the herd to return has got over 32,000 signatures.

Carol Platts, a local photographer in the Peak District who has captured pictures of the Highland cattle over the years and has seen the valuable impact they have brought to the area, stated that the public need to be more responsible when exercising their right to roam.

“The right to roam was hard won and we should all value it. But with that privilege comes responsibility and the necessity to understand that livestock are not pets but large animals who are protective of their young,”

This message was reiterated by Highland cattle breeder Jacky Harrison from Shropshire: "We need to make the public more aware of what to do while walking near livestock, that includes cattle, sheep, ponies and indeed ground nesting birds. The public also need to be made aware that the landscape was formed by grazing large animals and to maintain it for future generations this needs to continue," she stressed.

HSE released the following statement in response to the removal of the cattle: “HSE worked with the owner of the cattle to resolve the issue. We provided a number of suggested solutions and options. At no point did HSE ask for or order the slaughter of cattle, nor was the farmer ever threatened with arrest,” it concluded.

If you would like to see further information regarding the petition to return Highland cattle to Baslow edge, see here:- https://www.change.org/p/national-trust-the-return-of-highland-cattle-on-baslow-edge?fbclid=IwAR3ERZiQXRFTMZG0ayDpx1LrjOSJTP5-QGjF751GEXbiEGp3CbzO831o4g0