The Cattle Question at Blacka

It's no longer possible to sweep this isssue under the carpet after the cattle incidents in recent days. Whether or not you think it's likely that someone will be injured by cows on Blacka there's no doubt that many people now are avoiding walking here because cattle are grazing. The appalling story of the woman who was killed in North Yorkshire and the other story about David Blunkett's very lucky escape have been well aired in the media. And don't forget there were no calves in the field where the former Home Secretary was attacked. Many who were less bothered before will be more doubtful now. And this is a place where dog walking has been traditional for many generations and a place that was set up to be a public pleasure ground. It is frankly unacceptable that this continues. The media is full of the tragic case of the vet killed in Wensleydale and sundry advice in the form of Do's and Don'ts much of it frankly contradictory. Most of this is completely useless in the case of Blacka Moor as is the fatuous risk asessment produced by SWT. How can you stay away from cattle if the lie of the land and the vegetation mean that you can suddenly be confronted with cattle just a few feet away from you? The policy of cattle grazing is made even more irresponsible when those who have made the decision know very well that the presence of the cattle is utterly pointless. The claimed benefits for cattle being on the site have been gradually adjusted over the years until they are unrecognisable from the original claims. Now nobody is claiming that they will eat the young birch trees on the heather or trample and even eat the bracken. Now it's all vague nonsense about soil structure and nutrients. In fact farm machinery has had to be brought in to lay waste the natural vegetation and create grassy areas for them to graze!