Farm leaders are once again asking members of the public to act responsibly when visiting the countryside after an incident where 11 cows died on a Scottish farm.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) said the incident on the undisclosed farm was caused by a walker leaving a gate open.
The cows died of staggers after escaping from their field and gorging themselves in a field of grass destined for silage.
NFUS vice-president, Charlie Adam, said the shocking incident had been highlighted to show how irresponsible access can affect farmers and crofters.
“The work and effort that many of our members have put in this spring to keep plates and glasses full has been spoiled by the poor behaviour of a minority,” said Mr Adam.
He said other access problems reported to the union included people walking through fields of livestock with dogs off the lead, people ignoring requests to use hand sanitiser when opening and closing gates, groups holding picnics and parties on farmland, and instances of fly-tipping.
Aberdeenshire farmer Sandy Henderson, from Boat Farm near Kintore, is one of the farmers experiencing problems.
He said: “I’ve seen vandalism, people having parties, barbeques and bonfires and gates being thrown open, damaging a vehicle. I have had cyclists in the middle of my barley crops and some people just wandering wherever they want.”
He said guidance posters had been ripped down, and access problems were worse during lockdown with up to 20 people passing through the farm per hour.
He said: “I hope when lockdown ends that things return to normal.”
NFUS is issuing a new range of posters for farmers to put up on their land to advise the public on responsible access.