Refresh Of The Countryside Code

With the peak lambing season almost upon us, farmers across Scotland are calling for greater awareness of the ever-present threat of sheep worrying, and potential changes in the law carrying harsher penalties.

Responding to these concerns, NFU Scotland launched its campaign, Control Your Dog on Farmland, in Glasgow at the beginning of February with four key messages:

Be informed: know what your responsibilities are under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC). Plan ahead: know your route; make sure you have a lead and bags to remove dog mess. Control your pet: always keep dogs on a lead around livestock. Picking up after your dog is not enough: put dog mess in a bin, do not leave it in undergrowth or bushes. What are your responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code?

The SOAC contains reciprocal obligations on landowners and the general public, including dog walkers. It is available online here.

Responsibilities around farm animals

While access rights extend to fields with farm animals in them, the SOAC warns that some livestock (especially cows during the...