HC Deb 03 July 2001 vol 371 c131W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of implementing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 on dog owners walking in the New Forest. [866]

Alun Michael

[holding answer 2 July 2001]: Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will require persons exercising a right of access under the Act to keep any dog on a short lead during the period March to July, and at any time in the vicinity of livestock. The Act also allows for further restrictions on dogs to be imposed in certain circumstances. However, the new right will not apply to any land with existing statutory rights of access (such as commons in former urban boroughs and districts), nor will it interfere with any use of land which takes place with the implied or explicit consent of the owner. The Act will enable any more relaxed regime of controls on dogs in the New Forest or elsewhere to continue with the consent or tolerance of the owner of the land.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations are planned prior to the implementation of the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in the New Forest. [865]

Alun Michael

[holding answer 2 July 2001]: There are a number of provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which require my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to make regulations before they are brought into force. In particular, a consultation paper was issued in March on proposals for regulations under section 11 of the Act to enable the Countryside Agency to prepare draft maps of open country and registered common land. We are now considering the comments received and we expect to lay regulations during the summer recess. We expect to consult on a framework for regulations under part V of the Act relating to the establishment of local access forums with a view to laying regulations in the autumn. We shall also be consulting widely on regulations on other provisions in part I of the Act, as well as on regulations relating to part II (rights of way).