The Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust (FACT) is calling upon MPs to support the principle of Voluntary Access Agreements to address the recent demand by canoeists for free access to English and Welsh waterways for all water users.

FACT is working closely with Martin Salter MP (Parliamentary Spokesman for Angling) who has tabled an amendment to the original Early Day Motion (EDM 957), which urges Government to extend legislation on access to the countryside to allow canoeists and users of other non-powered craft the same access rights as those provided for walkers.

Whilst anglers are perfectly willing to seek voluntary joint access agreements with other water users, sustainable protection of the aquatic environment must be paramount, together with the proper regulation of all craft, whether or not they are powered, on inland waters.

FACT’s amendment, tabled by Martin Salter, reads, “urges the Government not to alter riparian rights; recommends that any increase in access to canoeists and non-powered craft be by voluntary access agreements only, which have been proven to work in both England and Wales; believes that the users of all canoes and non-powered craft on inland waterways should be subject to the same restrictions as anglers, and penalties for infringements; further believes that the Environment Agency should have the power to close any waterway to any craft in the interests of protecting sensitive aquatic environments; and considers that, notwithstanding the forthcoming Olympic Games, it should be remembered that angling is a sport which has 4 million participants in England and Wales with an annual economy of £ 3.5 billion and which has had great success in recent World Championships.”

Jim Glasspool, Chairman of FACT commented:

“Angling is heavily regulated, and provides £ 17m net income to the Environment Agency’s Fisheries Department. Anglers also provide many times that figure each year through fishing fees for habitat management and environmental protection, which gives the sport genuine stakeholder status in the aquatic environment. Other water users should be made to take a similar responsibility for their environment.”

Individuals and organisations with an interest in angling / fisheries are encouraged to write to their local MP (contact details are available by entering a post code on web site www.locata.co.uk/commons) seeking their support to the amended EDM. A draft letter is also available for download from the following web site www.nafac.co.uk.

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