FOREST of Dean commoners are being reassured that the right to free pasture within the bounds of the Statutory Forest – including all of Bream – remains sacrosanct.
Though boundaries have been drawn up precluding sheep owner Jeremy Awdry from allowing any of his flock within a defined area of Bream, the Commoners Association say they want it to be known the entire area of Statutory Forest is free for stock to graze and to wander on.
Commoners secretary Mick Holder told the Review: "We do not wish to become involved in any way with matters involving ongoing legal proceedings.
"But some of our members have voiced concern that newspaper reports have given the impression that free grazing has in some way been curtailed. We want to make it crystal clear to everyone – supporters or otherwise – that the entire Statutory Forest remains open."
Mr Holder said the grazing rights were long established and incontestable.
"The right was granted by royal charter as long
ago as 1217. More recently, of course, the Commoners have entered into a series of agreements.
"The right to grazing was endorsed by the 1981 Agreement and the subsequent 2001 Agreement which was supported by the Forest of Dean District Council, Animal Health, Defra and the police.
"This resulted in the agreement between the Commoners Association and the Forestry Commission which was revised as late as August 2007," he said.
Mr Holder pointed out that the agreement included a requirement for graziers to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their stock did not cause a nuisance in the Forest communities.
"Our members do their best to comply. It is significant that these days more fuss is made about road safety issues involving deer, while the mess and the perceived danger surrounding the boar has pushed grazing issues into the background.
"I would like to emphasise yet again that the Commoners wish to work with all parties. We do not seek confrontation but only to continue with a tradition that is rightfully that of all Foresters.
"However we do wish to make it known to all parties that the right of free grazing is not in any way under threat. The privilege continues uninterrupted and will do so for many years to come."