Frequently asked questions
Why propose reintroducing grazing to these commons?
As commoners have stopped taking wood from the commons and ceased grazing their animals, trees have begun to take over from the wildflower meadows and lowland heath. Few people really noticed this gradual change in the landscape but a significant amount of these precious habitats and the species associated with them have been lost. The most sustainable way of maintaining and restoring the habitats is to reintroduce livestock on a conservation grazing regime.
Conservation grazing is livestock grazing that meets nature conservation objectives. It means using traditional breeds and grazing regimes which involve low numbers of animals (eg 15 cattle) on the common for only part of the year (2 or 3 months). Registered commoners will still have the right to graze their animals on the commons.
Would people still be allowed to use the commons?
Yes. Commons are highly valued, open spaces for public recreation. People have enjoyed walking, riding and playing on common land for generations. If grazing was re-introduced, the livestock would need to be enclosed, probably by some form of fencing. However, the principle aims of such fencing would be to contain the livestock and not to restrict access for people. Pedestrian gates and bridle gates, perhaps like the picture below, will be installed where necessary to enable people to continue to use existing paths. The same restrictions, depending on the common in question, will apply regarding bicycles, horses and motorised vehicles.
Would I be able to let my dog off the lead?
Responsible dog owners would have their dogs under control in public places, anyway, for everybody’s safety, but this doesn’t necessarily mean on a lead. You will know your dog better than anybody. Certainly, if you are near to livestock, it’s important to keep your dog under close control. If your dog is likely to chase livestock or horses, it should be kept on a lead when near them. If the proposals are implemented there would still be plenty of opportunity to let dogs run more freely: outside of grazing enclosures; when animals are distant; or when there are no livestock present..
What kind of animals would be used?
It’s not yet possible to say which animals will be available to graze the commons, but cattle would be preferable. Cows are less likely to be troubled by dogs and cattle grazing creates more variety which benefits a wider range of species. Traditional breeds of livestock, like these English Longhorns, are better able to digest poorer plants and grasses, such as those found on heathlands and in wild flower meadows. There won’t be large numbers of cattle, and they are surprisingly docile. There may be up to 15 – 20 animals and they would not be on the common for the whole year probably for 3 months, depending on their effect on the habitat and on their condition.
The livestock would be checked every day by a qualified person to ensure they were in good health, but the additional eyes and ears of the public will be invaluable in helping to spot any problems quickly.
Are the cattle and other animals safe?
Longhorn cattle and other traditional breeds are exceptionally docile despite the impression given by their horns. Sheep and ponies will tend to keep away from people but will soon become accustomed to walkers across the common. As with all animals people should be wary about approaching them, especially if they are with young. Dogs must be kept under control or on a lead and children supervised.
Would there be a risk from the cows?
Changes to farming mean that people are less familiar with seeing grazing animals in the local countryside and walking through pastures with livestock may be a rarer experience than in the past. However, Longhorn cattle and other traditional breeds are exceptionally docile despite the impression given by their horns. They will tend to keep away from people and they will soon become accustomed to people walking or riding across the common. As with all animals, people should be wary about approaching them, especially if they are with young. The partnership would avoid using animals with young on the commons for this reason.
How would the cows be contained?
The principle behind enclosing the grazing area would be to minimise its impact on the commons' open landscape, and to restrict public access as little as possible. The fenceline would follow existing hedgelines, woodland edges, road edges and field boundaries. Kissing gates or bridle gates would be installed to allow access onto the common and cattle grids may be placed on roads where necessary. The fencing would probably consist of wooden posts with two wooden rails as in the picture above. The newly installed fences may stand out to start with, but they should quickly weather. Vegetation growth will help to soften their visual impact. See the individual site maps for more information.
Why is heathland important?
Heathlands are characterised by heather and other dwarf shrubs, and are home to many insects, birds and animals. Moths, butterflies and other insects depend on the rare and diverse plants that grow in the acidic, nutrient poor soils. It is important that the soil remains poor in nutrients otherwise competition with other plants will result in the crowding out of heathland plants. Heathland along with other wild flower meadows in Hertfordshire have declined by over 95 per cent in the last 60 years. For more information on heathland habitats in Hertfordshire follow the link to the Herts. Biodiversity Action Plan at http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/qol/2006/50yearvision.pdf.
How would grazing help?
- It can help prevent tree regeneration, keeping new growth under control.
- Grazing animals will crop back heather and other plants keeping them in a healthy condition.
- It allows for different heights and structures of grasses and plants to occur. Tussocks form that would not be able to develop with mowing and they provide an ideal habitat for hibernating insects. Anthills are able to develop and bare patches are created that are ideal for solitary bees and wasps.
- Grazing is gradual and has a less catastrophic effect on insects than mowing.
- Re-introducing grazing on common land is a way of restoring an historic tradition and it helps to preserve traditional livestock breeds.
- Turning the grass into meat provides an opportunity for a grazier to produce local food in a sustainable way.
- Traditional breeds of livestock are a significant attraction to visitors and grazing the commons may lead to a wider understanding of where food comes from.
Aren't trees important too?
Biodiversity, (the variety of species), depends upon maintaining a balance of well managed and different habitats in the countryside. Trees provide important habitats both alive and as a source of standing or fallen dead wood. It is important to conserve areas of woodland in Hertfordshire but it is equally important to maintain our declining lowland heaths. Where trees have encroached and developed into dense woodland these will be looked after as important habitats, but where the heath remains it’s important to ensure that it survives.
Will trees be cut down?
Yes.
In order to conserve the heathland habitats, where trees continue to overtake areas of the heath, some trees may be removed from time to time.
As part of the normal process of managing woodland, where woodland has formed on the commons occasionally there may be some selective removal of trees. This benefits the better trees and helps young trees and woodland flowers to grow.
When would this all take place?
Before any fencing on common land can take place an application has to go to DEFRA for permission. It could take up to 2 years to gain permission for fencing, so the reintroduction of animals would not able to happen until then.
How would the work be financed?
Additional funding for capital works and further consultation will be sought through Environmental Stewardship schemes and other forms of grant aid.
Summary
- The project aims to preserve and enhance the rare wildflower grasslands and healthland by designing a programme of conservation grazing that maintains the access people have on the commons.
- If grazing is reintroduced some of the land will be fenced but this would not affect your right of access.
- You would still be able to ride horses, fly kites, play cricket, walk dogs and do all the things that you have always done on the common.
- Changes are being made to the management of the heaths and wildflower meadows to conserve and enhance these important sites.
- Heathland is an ancient habitat that is important for plants, insects, reptiles and birds. Many of these specialist creatures are found nowhere else.
- Heathland has been slowly vanishing over the last 60 years largely due to changes in grazing and the growth of trees.
- Cattle or other livestock will graze the land to improve the habitat for wild flowers, insects and reptiles and enhance the landscape for users of the common.
