The government has been urged to protect common land against environmental misuse.

A report by the Stakeholder Working Group on common land called for legislation to promote the sustainable agricultural use and management of common land.

Forum Response: The Countryside Alliance

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix.com: "The Countryside Alliance has always supported increased, managed access to the countryside which respects local needs and livelihoods.

"The needs of rural communities must be taken into full account when implementing any new proposals regulating agricultural practices and new rights of access, with their views fully reflected by the proposed Regional Advisory Bodies.

"The Alliance must question whether the desired environmental benefits will be achieved through the proposed powers, we would rather see the desired improvements achieved through management plans that have been produced in conjunction with the land manager and rural communities."