During the current foot and mouth crisis in the UK the authorities have
asked the public to restrict their movements on foot across farmland and
open country. This is purely a precautionary measure to prevent the spread
of the disease amongst animals, it has only minimal effect on humans.
Given that the majority of British mining sites are on farmland or open
country it is only sensible to curtail visits to such sites during the crisis.
The British National Caving Association (NCA) has issued a similar request
to cavers (and mine exploration enthusiasts) which is appended below.
Please co-operate - those who remember the 1967 outbreak will know how bad
this disease can be for all involved, not just the farmers.
Peter
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE
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The current Foot & Mouth outbreak is extremely serious and the Countryside
Agency, the National Trust and other organisations are advising everyone to
stay away from all areas containing livestock. Cavers are therefore being
asked to follow this advice and limit their activities until all
restrictions are lifted.
It is very important that everyone cooperates in this matter which poses a
severe threat to the farming community and others. If there is any doubt
whether a cave is situated on land that may be affected please contact the
regional Conservation and Access Officer; contact details for which can be
found on the NCA web site at www.nca.org.uk. The basic rule to follow is DO
NOT go onto any land if there is any doubt, or without first obtaining
permission from the landowner.
Currently there is no access to many caves on Mendip, in the Peak District
and the North, however some local Wildlife Trusts and other organisations
are continuing to allow access onto some of their land and access to some
other non-grazing land may be permissible, but it is essential to check
first.
General information on the disease and restricted areas is available on the
MAFF web site at www.maff.gov.uk.
Graham Price
Conservation Officer
National Caving Association
24 February 2001
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Peter Claughton, Blaenpant Morfil, Rosebush, Clynderwen,
Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. 01437 532578; Fax. 01437 532921; Mobile 07831 427599
University of Exeter - Department of History
School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Co-owner - mining-history e-mail discussion list.
See http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/mining-history/ for details.
Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
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