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Here’s their latest letter and press release:
Letter of 19 March 2001 to Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the
Environment
Dear Minister
Further to my letter of 15 March 2001, I have reports of another very
difficult trading weekend for retailers and suppliers of outdoor clothing
and equipment.
I understand the Rural Task Force is to meet again tomorrow and add my
associations voice to those urging you to consider speedy action to
alleviate the considerable financial pressures now being felt not only those
in rural areas, but all businesses whose livelihoods depend on access to our
National Parks and other areas of countryside. In particular we ask the task
force to consider how the governments own cash requirement from business
can be limited. This might include the immediate suspension of business
rates, PAYE, National Insurance and deferment of VAT.
The need for a clear communications strategy has been highlighted by the
confusion in much of the press over the weekend. While many papers carried
headlines that the countryside was open, the detail made it clear that open
referred principally to rural accommodation, attractions and retail
businesses while public rights of way and access land – the very reasons so
many visit the countryside – remained firmly closed. The pages added to the
Countryside Agencys web site detailing footpath closures in England are an
excellent initiative and links to similar information for the other home
nations would be useful. The need for a wider campaign, to include
easily-sourced information for those without internet access, remains.
The Outdoor Industries Association is ready to play its part in reassuring
the public as to where they can safely go outdoors and looks forward to
learning of progress at tomorrows meeting.
Yours sincerely
ANDREW MAXTED
Director – Marketing & Development
Outdoor Industries Association
Press release:
The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) has welcomed the progress reported
yesterday (Tuesday) by Michael Meacher and the Rural Task Force in
addressing the serious impact the foot and mouth epidemic is having on the
outdoor sector and the efforts made to open more footpaths and access land
to walkers, ramblers and climbers.
“Clearly eradicating this disease as soon as possible must remain the top
priority and outdoor enthusiasts must continue to support the farming
community and avoid livestock and other risk areas” commented OIA marketing
director Andrew Maxted. “The news that Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak,
has reopened is however a tremendous boost and the minister’s announcement
that the national parks and local authorities are now considering where
footpaths can be safely opened is just what the outdoor sector needs to
hear – particularly if substantial walking areas as well as campsites can be
accessible for Easter.”
“Equally important” he continued “is the task force’s recognition that
retailers, as well as farming and tourist accommodation businesses, are
being hit particularly hard by this problem. We look forward to seeing
details of the proposals to increase rate relief for small businesses in
rural areas and urge the Inland Revenue and Customs departments to make good
use of their flexibility to reduce cash flow demands on outdoor retailers.”
“We are nonetheless very aware that outdoor retailers in town and city
centres are also reporting reduced sales as customers defer purchases of
clothing and equipment and many brand suppliers are facing cancelled or
postponed orders. We must therefore continue to press our case that all
outdoor businesses impacted by this disease, irrespective of whether they
are located in rural areas, should be eligible for financial support”
concluded Maxted.
The OIA has added a new area to its web site linking to the Countryside
Agency’s latest foot and mouth information pages and other sites which are
particularly useful to outdoor enthusiasts. The new area is accessible
directly from the association’s home page at www.go-outdoors.org.uk.
