EU rural development money is to be used in Co Wicklow to negotiate access for walkers in the county, it emerged yesterday at the launch of a code for Irish countryside use.
The code, produced by Agri Aware, an organisation set up to promote a positive image of farming and the food industry, was launched yesterday in Co Wicklow on the farm of Mr Seán Byrne, from Lough Dan.
Mr Byrne, who is supportive of properly controlled walking, said the problems that arose recently over access were generally caused by lack of consultation.
"That's what has happened with Wicklow County Council which attempted to impose rights of way and access without any consultation," he said.
The council on Monday voted to exclude almost 50 walks and rights of way from its County Development Plan pending a report next summer. These include the Bray to Greystones cliff walk, and access routes around Lough Dan, Lugnaquilla and Bray Head.
Mr Byrne said funding of €13,000 from the EU's LEADER programme was being used "to negotiate access to lands in Co Wicklow", and this could become a model for the rest of the country.
Mr Paddy Healy, chairman of the Irish Farmers' Association in Co Wicklow, said Irish farmers had a long track record of providing access to the countryside for recreational use. "However, it is important that all interested parties work together to reach agreement on issues of concern.
"Farmers have genuine concerns to be addressed, including the cost of liability insurance cover and the consequences of damage being done to property and animals," he added.
Mr Healy said most walkers did not realise that a right of way devalued farmland and created problems for farmers.
He said the actions of the walkers' organisation, Keep Ireland Open, which has campaigned for greater access, would be counterproductive and could lead to less rather than more access.
Mr Colin Murphy, development officer of Wicklow Uplands Council, a voluntary grouping of 35 organisations that works to take care of the uplands, said the Agri Aware guide long overdue.
The trail at Lough Dan was developed in co-operation with Wicklow Uplands Council and enhanced and maintained by Mountain Meitheal, a volunteer group of recreational users that works with farmers and landowners to develop and maintain access routes.
Agri Aware's chairman, Mr T.J. Maher, said generations of Irish farmers had moulded the unique appearance of the Irish countryside to the position today where it attracted millions of foreign visitors each year, while at the same time produced an abundance of high-quality food in a safe environment.
"As a farmer myself I believe that we have much to gain by working in an inclusive way with non-farming people living and working in the Irish countryside. A code of the countryside is required, as it will, if adhered to, help prevent unnecessary conflicts between landowners and users of the countryside," he said.