A new Cornish pilot project aims to tackle the dangers posed to walkers by livestock.

Partners including Cornwall Council, Health and Safety Executive, National Farmers Union, British Horse Society, Ramblers Association and the Country Landowners Association came together at Fraddon Village Hall to launch the project, which aims to minimise the risk to walkers from livestock in fields crossed by a public right of way. 

The event also included sessions on animal behavioural psychology, public access and dogs in the countryside.

With some high profile cases in recent years where walkers have been injured or even killed by livestock, this new project aims to provide an alternative route for users as well as support and help livestock owners whose land is crossed by a Public Right of Way (PROW) decide whether their animals are suitable to be kept in these fields if other fields are not available.

The project also aims to assist livestock owners with the process they need to follow when they have animals grazing fields to which the public have access.

This new scheme encourages farmers in that situation to provide and signpost a temporary bypass only during the period of time when livestock are in the field to which the public have access, so that walkers and horse riders who prefer to avoid livestock have an alternative route. 

The pilot scheme will run for 3 months after which farmers, walkers and horse riders will be asked to report back on how it is working and what improvements, if any, might be made.