FOR centuries, trespass on private land in Scotland was a controversial issue. Since 2005, that has no longer been the case, with outdoor access for all enshrined in law.
However, trespass by farmed livestock – particularly sheep – is not covered by a ‘right to roam’ and increasing incursions in to forest land is now a growing threat to the well-being of commercially managed plantations.
For instance, one forest tract in Galloway has a 30-mile border with farmland in rough terrain where incursions by sheep are inevitable.
Unfortunately, and most regrettably, it is written into many tenant farmers’ leases that the farming tenant is responsible for fence maintenance – and also any damage caused by straying farmed livestock.
As de facto landlord of much of this tenanted land, ScotGov should give serious and immediate consideration into taking over responsibility of the upkeep of boundaries between government owned farming and forest land.
Otherwise, the working relationship between the two sectors, which has seen marked improvement over recent years after decades of strife, could be put back to square one!