Sir, - Dermot Hand (June 21st), chair of the Wicklow Uplands Council, outlines the success which this community-based organisation is having in defusing potential conflicts between landowners and hill-walkers. Mr Hand acknowledges that Keep Ireland Open has played its part. He suggests that the WUC model could be tried in other parts of the country to try to resolve differences between walkers and the main farming organisations.
KIO would very much like to be part of similar forums in other regions, particularly the west. Unfortunately, the regional IFA people have refused to meet us. We have had no greater success with the IFA nationally. In fact it is quite clear from correspondence with the IFA that it will defend farmers against all-comers. The ICMSA goes further: its general secretary has suggested to members that the foot-and-mouth notices forbidding entry should remain up indefinitely.
We know that at least one major hill-walking operator has gone out of business as a direct result of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Unlike farmers, the people involved in this enterprise and the many other tourist interests who were hit by the crisis will get no compensation.
Meanwhile, we note that AgriAware, which represents the farming and food industry, is running a campaign to thank the Irish public for its support during the crisis. Unfortunately action (or lack of it) speaks louder than words. - Yours, etc.,
Roger Garland, Chairman, Keep Ireland Open, Butterfield Drive, Dublin 14.