There is a balance to be struck between the need to control and eradicate FMD and the need to reduce damage to other important industries, such as tourism. Opening up access in low risk areas may help to reduce pressure for access in high risk areas. Local authorities are recommended to consider which rights of way should be opened in their area. Veterinary Risk Assessment No.4 sets out the risks to be taken into account in more detail. Local authorities are encouraged to consider reopening as their first priority those footpaths which serve the local population and economy or which lead to or are in the areas of most recreational demand, such as footpaths to the coast or in big tourist areas, national and other well used trails, circular paths and cycle routes.
General guidance is set out in the paragraphs below.
Recommended Codes are set out in full at Annexes C and D . Woodland is generally a lower risk than farmland. In the case of unfenced or partially fenced footpaths which cross a mixture of cropped and grazed land, the risk could be further reduced by temporarily fencing those parts which pass through fields used by livestock. Wild deer are not considered a significant risk, so the fact that a footpath crosses an area used by wild deer should not normally prevent its reopening. Farmed and parkland deer should be treated in the same way as other farm livestock.