Council proposes ban on blackberry picking -- and tree climbing

[Paul Mobbs]

Why ban an ancient right, for which specific protection exists in law?


These changes not only make foraging an offence, it also criminalises
kids climbing trees!


:-(


Bristol City's proposed bylaw is based on a model created by DCLG in
2013 -- so theoretically any council could adopt this (or may have
already, with fare less fuss than in Bristol).


For more see Bristol City's consultation --
<https://bristol.citizenspace.com/place/parks-byelaws>




P.






<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/council-spending/12135786/Council-proposes-ban-on-blackberry-picking.html>


Council proposes ban on blackberry picking


Bristol City Council angers foragers by suggesting a ban people from
removing "the whole or any part of any plant, shrub or tree" 


Telegraph On-line, 2nd February 2016




A council is proposing a new by-law which could ban people from
picking blackberries.


Bristol City Council has suggested 34 new bylaws for 212 parks and
green spaces around the city.


One new rule would ban people from removing "the whole or any part of
any plant, shrub or tree" - effectively banning blackberry picking.


The rule, which is currently part of a public consultation, would also
outlaw making daisy chains, picking apples or mushrooms or any other
wild fruit.


The authority insists no decision have yet been made, but local
foragers have hit out at the new laws.


Andy Hamilton, who runs "Gin Safari" - guided foraging walks - said
the new by-laws would be devastating for his business.


"It's narrow minded. We need an active participation in wildlife's
support, not exclusion from it."
Chef Anton Petrov


He said: "I can quite understand the whole of 'any tree', but this
bylaw will make the picking of an apple or a blackberry illegal.


"It seems rather a heavy handed approach to something that I am not
aware of being a problem. It basically means I can't do my job.


"The work I do is a way of engaging people with what they can eat and
drink and get them outside.


"This law would put me out of that kind of job, and because Bristol is
such a foodie place there are a lot of chefs who are experimenting
with this type of stuff too.


"I can get why the council don't want you to take plants, but it needs
to be specific about what you can take. This just seems draconian."


Chef Anton Petrov, a forager who provides ingredients for Bulrush, a
restaurant in Cotham, Bristol, branded the laws "restrictive".


He added: "It's narrow minded. We need an active participation in
wildlife's support, not exclusion from it.


"Look, I picked up a dandelion! I'm a criminal now! I'm sorry, but
this is outrageous."



The proposed by-law states: "No person shall without reasonable excuse
remove from or displace within the ground any stone, soil or turf or
the whole or any part of any plant, shrub or tree."


It is among dozens of by-laws which are out for consultation until
March 20.


Bristol City Council urged members of the public to submit their views
and promised to take all into account.


A spokesman said: "We will obviously take a common sense approach and
these byelaws are absolutely not designed to stop people enjoying our
parks and green spaces.


"The byelaw in question is only intended to protect plants (and other
things) from damage, not to stop berry picking.


"We have no intention of preventing responsible people from making
good use of our natural resources, as long as they are not causing any
damage to the plant or its surroundings or wildlife that feed on it.


"Our consultation asks people to identify the impact they see it
having, which will help us avoid unintended consequences.


"We want to make sure that the byelaws allow as much as they can
whilst giving us appropriate control of nuisance and other antisocial
behaviour.


"The aim is for people to enjoy activities in as many places as
possible and we've designed the byelaws around this.


"However, we'd encourage anyone with feedback to take part in the
current consultation so that their concerns can be properly
considered.


"We welcome input from everyone, and will take comments into
account." 




-- 






"We are not for names, nor men, nor titles of Government, 
nor are we for this party nor against the other but we are 
for justice and mercy and truth and peace and true freedom, 
that these may be exalted in our nation, and that goodness, 
righteousness, meekness, temperance, peace and unity with 
God, and with one another, that these things may abound." 
(Edward Burrough, 1659 - from 'Quaker Faith and Practice')


Paul Mobbs, Mobbs' Environmental Investigations 
3 Grosvenor Road, Banbury OX16 5HN, England 
tel./fax (+44/0)1295 261864


email -- mobbsey at gn.apc.org
website -- http://www.fraw.org.uk/mei/index.shtml
public key -- http://www.fraw.org.uk/mei/public_key_2015.asc


Not sent from my mobile device -- I don't have one! ;-)




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