Clarity needed on issue of public access to farm property

WHILE it would appear that some progress has been made in establishing farmer rights in laws governing public access to their property, much remains to be clarified.

A perception still exists among a large section of the community — including some with very clearly vested interests — that agricultural land should be available free for use as a national amenity, unlike any other private property. That has to be clarified once and for all, and a privately owned farm must be regarded as private property in the very same sense as a business premises in the town, or a private residence.

It is generally accepted that unauthorised access to a business premises or private residence is out of order, but many people believe that the contrary should apply to a farm.