Farmers have asked people to take extra care when walking on farmland.
The plea follows a rise in the number of people using footpaths through farmland following the coronavirus lockdown and an improvement in the weather.
The Welsh Government’s current advice is to only leave your house if absolutely necessary and for one piece of exercise a day.
The daily rise in the number of people out walking comes during a period when livestock return to farmland across the county.
David Perkins, who runs a farm in Bedwas, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of people out walking recently, which is perfectly fine.
“We would however like to see people sticking to footpaths and always keeping their dogs on a lead. It is really important that people don’t wander off paths and onto farmland, especially at this time of the year.”
The National Farmers Union (NFU) have urged people to continue to use hand sanitiser when out walking and respect social distancing measures.
They are also pressing the Welsh Government to allow them to divert footpaths that run close to yards and farmhouses as a way of protecting farm workers.
NFU Cymru’s Hedd Pugh said: “Farmers have observed a significant increase in the use of public rights of way and access land in the light of the social distancing guidelines introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This has led to concerns and anxiety where public rights of way are in close proximity to homes and farmyards, particularly so in instances where farmers or members of their families fall into the vulnerable category.
“There are also concerns about dogs being allowed off their leads during peak lambing season and gates being left open.
“NFU Cymru continues to raise the concerns of our members with regards to public rights of way and public access with Welsh Government. The union has asked that a process be established whereby public rights of way can be temporarily diverted away from homes and farmyards.”
The countryside code offers practical advice on how to stay safe and protect farmland when out walking.
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Source: Public Health Wales
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