I have been receiving the South West Farmer for more years than I care to admit. I do enjoy it, on the whole.

Recently I’ve noticed that there seem to be more articles about visitors to the countryside and in particular page 24 of March’s edition 'New guidance for farmers to make land more accessible'.

Here I think there are some issues.

I have always taken great pride in looking after my land and the countryside around me.

I strongly believe we add to the beauty of the countryside and do as much as possible for wildlife and the general appearance of our surroundings.

I am pleased to see as many people as possible enjoy the countryside and to benefit from our hard work - BUT, and it is a very big BUT - I expect those visiting the countryside to respect it, the wildlife, the farm animals and the hard working folk whose business is land management.

I fear that over recent years the education system has failed to advise people how they should behave in our back gardens.

The article mentions what we as farmers and landowners should do but doesn’t mention the other side of the coin!

I am fed up with having to remove bottles (glass and plastic), tin cans, food wrappers (mainly plastic), dog faeces, human faeces plus other unmentionables from fields I graze stock in.

Who thinks it is a great idea to pick up their dog’s poo in a little plastic bag and then hang it in the hedge?

I am also fed up with having to put up signs on gates asking people NOT to park in front of them, motorcyclists who race around "quiet” country lanes, bridle ways and foot paths.

Some cyclists are almost as bad but quieter.

Safety is also a very serious issue.

I have certain road hedges that I have to trim by night now as I have had too many people get far too close to the tractor and trimmer - despite good signage, flashing lights etc.

I even had one cyclist who thought it was a good idea to ride between the back wheel of the tractor and the trimmer head!

I believe this stems from a lack of education, most of those I politely ask have never heard of the “countryside code” let alone read it.

There is a serious divide between urban and rural and that divide is, sadly, growing as more and more people are encouraged to “explore” the countryside.

The countryside is, or can be, a dangerous place if you don’t know what you are doing so we need to educate and we need to do it yesterday, let alone tomorrow!

Unfortunately your paper is probably not read by many people from an urban environment but someone, somehow MUST start putting that message across.

Paul Dyer, Cornwall

If you would like to share your thoughts on an agricultural issue, please email editorial@southwestfarmer.co.uk.