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The use of footpaths,
bridleways, parks and open spaces have become part of peoples’ lives.
Together I think we have all achieved a reasonable consensus and hopefully
have adapted to meet the desires and needs of the other.
Now we who are involved with the countryside are asking, just for a short
while, for something in return for our continuing management of the countryside.
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The
view across Chagford
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While this epidemic
of Foot and Mouth disease is running rampant across the whole county,
not just Dartmoor, all the rural areas of Devon, we are asking you all
to curtail your country pursuits.
Foot and Mouth only attacks cloven hoofed animals but, horses, dogs, cars,
lorries and humans, can act inadvertently as carriers of the disease.
We also must realise that our wildlife too can play its part in transmitting
this disease. One of the most enjoyable things about a trip to the countryside
is to be able to stop, watch and listen, to nature doing its own thing.
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The
animals came first - let's make sure
the roads stay empty for a while
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If this disease is
allowed to get completely out of hand and a cull of wildlife becomes a
necessity, just think what that would mean to the countryside that you
and I enjoy so much.
We ask you therefore to sacrifice your freedom of walking and exercising
in the countryside for a short period now, so that in the long term, all
of what you and I treasure and enjoy will still be here for us and future
generations to see, marvel at and enjoy.
Thanks for your co-operation at this time of great concern. When this
is all over we will be pleased to see you again, and you will see the
wildlife and the domestic stock and us too, all being able to enjoy and
appreciate this wonderful countryside, which is after all Our Heritage.
If you'd like to get in touch with Tony you can email
him
at devon.online@bbc.co.uk
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