Ask trespassers if they are lost, install gates rather than stiles and only shoot dogs as a last resort.
These are some of the guidelines issued to farmers and land managers by the government conservation agency Natural England, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. The advice is designed to help people enjoy the countryside and covers protecting livestock and keeping rights of way usable.
The guidance includes advice on what to do if a dog is chasing farm animals, including a warning that farmers should only shoot a dog worrying livestock as a last resort.
Recommendations for cutting back vegetation and keeping public waterways clear as part of ensuring rights of way are usable, putting in more accessible gates – or even leaving gaps – rather than stiles, and better signage for visitors, are also included in the guidance.
It advises land managers who find walkers trespassing on their land that “visitors rarely mean to trespass” and to ask them if they are lost and help them get back to paths or areas they are allowed on.
Land managers are encouraged to help visitors behave responsibly, securing gates open if they want people to leave that way, considering self-closing gates or signs if they want them shut, and keeping land free from rubbish that could encourage fly-tipping.
It also includes advice on reporting criminal or threatening behaviour to the police, and reporting noise disturbances and fly-tipping to the local authority. There is advice on creating a safe environment, including stacking bales safely, using and storing chemicals responsibly, managing trees, and warning visitors of hazards in the landscape.
The new guidance is issued under the Countryside Code, which was refreshed last year in an effort to help people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy the countryside responsibly – with tips such as advising people to say hello to others, stay on footpaths, and bag and bin their dog’s poo.
The Natural England chief executive, Marian Spain, said: “With more people than ever before spending time in nature, this refreshed advice for land managers has never been more important in helping to ensure we work together to protect our outdoor spaces.
“I urge all land managers to follow this new advice and continue to help make nature accessible to everyone, so people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the invaluable health and wellbeing benefits that nature offers, while giving it the respect it deserves.”
The rural affairs minister, Richard Benyon, said: “We want to ensure that nature is accessible for all, whilst also supporting people to do the right thing when they are visiting the countryside.
“The new advice in the Countryside Code will help farmers and land managers to help the public enjoy the outdoors in a responsible way. I am grateful to all of those stakeholders who have helped shape this updated guidance.”
