Sheep worrying

As thousands of walkers descend on the countryside during the coronavirus lockdown, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has called for visitors to show more ‘respect’ for the land and those who farm it.

Farmers Guardian has long campaigned for a change in the law around livestock worrying and, therefore, it is encouraging to see progress being made in Scotland with the introduction of the Livestock Worrying - Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

A new Bill before the Scottish Parliament will, if passed by MSPs, allow much stricter measures to be taken against those who allow their dogs to worry livestock.

A farmer has launched an impassioned plea to dog walkers, after a gruesome attack on a sheep flock resulted in the death of more than 20 lambs.

Farm groups across the board have appealed for countryside visitors to walk responsibly over the Easter weekend to avoid endangering rural communities.