Sir, - I would like to respond to Donal Murphy's letter of October 9th on behalf of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association. He reiterates the interpretation put by the ICMSA on the duty of care to recreational users crossing farmland. His views differs from those of the other national farming organisations and the many organisations representing walking groups. This issue has been adequately addressed by other correspondents.
However, I would like to take him up on the point in the last paragraph of his letter, wherein he presumes that David Herman, one of the letter writers on this subject, would "not allow unauthorised entry to his own house". As I know Mr Herman is away at the moment, I will presume to comment that he would certainly not allow anyone to cross his threshold uninvited, nor indeed would I.
Of course, he is not comparing like with like. Hill walkers are very conscious of the right to privacy of farmers. We feel some what embarrassed walking through a farmyard and past a farmer's house. We would be more than happy to give the house a wide berth, but in many instances the only route is through the farmyard.
This throwaway remark confirms my view that the real agenda of the ICMSA is to deny walkers access to farmland. The practice of walkers crossing farm land has been a tradition since the large landowners were bought out by the State a century ago. It seems that this organisation wants to put the clock back, so that we would revert to the practice of the landlords of old.
Yours, etc.,
Campaigner,
Keep Ireland Open.
43 Butterfield Drive,
Dublin 14.