Post by Starchild on Sept 25, 2007 7:32:38 GMT
Forest of Dean commoners with ancient sheep-grazing rights are refusing to cooperate with new measures designed to control unruly animals.
A 700-year-old law allows their animals to roam freely in the area, but the Forestry Commission took action after complaints from residents about mess.
The order included employing a shepherd to round up strays and relocating flocks further away from villages.
But the Commoners Association said it was not consulted about the changes.
'Way of life'
The commoners had already agreed back in 2001, to confine their flocks to remote woodland areas following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
A High Court order made earlier this year called on the district council and Forestry Commission to tighten up the measures.
It followed complaints that some sheep were still being allowed to stray into villages, damaging gardens and fouling pavements with droppings.
But association secretary Mick Holder said: "An agreement's been made about our way of life and our animals without any consultation with us."
He said that until the new agreement was scrapped they would not re-enter negotiations.
The Forestry Commission has not yet been available to comment on their stand.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7011710.stm
A 700-year-old law allows their animals to roam freely in the area, but the Forestry Commission took action after complaints from residents about mess.
The order included employing a shepherd to round up strays and relocating flocks further away from villages.
But the Commoners Association said it was not consulted about the changes.
'Way of life'
The commoners had already agreed back in 2001, to confine their flocks to remote woodland areas following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
A High Court order made earlier this year called on the district council and Forestry Commission to tighten up the measures.
It followed complaints that some sheep were still being allowed to stray into villages, damaging gardens and fouling pavements with droppings.
But association secretary Mick Holder said: "An agreement's been made about our way of life and our animals without any consultation with us."
He said that until the new agreement was scrapped they would not re-enter negotiations.
The Forestry Commission has not yet been available to comment on their stand.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/7011710.stm
