Madam, - Paul Tighe (October 10th) seems to think that access to the open hills of this country is going to cause countless problems for farmers. This is not so. I am a tour guide and have spent more than 40 years walking European hills and countryside.
Most European countries have extensive systems of public rights of way, traversing farmland and elsewhere, created by custom and use over long periods of time. Ireland is the exception and is the only country I've walked in where farmers are paid to provide private paths, such as the Beara Way, across their land.
Most European countries have a "right to roam" policy which enables walkers and others to have almost unrestricted access to uncultivated open countryside.
Criminals will enter land the countryside regardless of whether there is, or is not, a right of way. I've certainly never heard of a criminal being put off by a sign saying "private".
Almost every accident on farms happens to farmers while working, or to their younger children playing on farm equipment. Allowing the public to walk across the hills is hardly going to exacerbate the problem. I have never heard of a single accident to a walker involving farm machinery or equipment. I have walked with my dog past thousands of bulls, cows, sheep, other walkers, goats, chickens, geese, pigs, other dogs, countless tractors and farm machinery. The only problems I've ever had was in Ireland with angry farmers.
Walkers, like most other visitors to the countryside, spend money on anything from accommodation to refreshments and petrol. This brings money to disadvantaged areas.
I have talked to hundreds of farmers and landowners in other countries and I have never heard of any problems with public access to their land, apart from the odd minor complaint about gates being left open or the occasional family having a picnic in a field entrance.
Access to the Irish countryside is the worst in Europe. - Yours, etc,
DAVID PERRY, Lissacaha, Schull, Co Cork.