Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

Do Welsh Canoe Union have:-

1. Comprehensive membership to enable them to enforce rules

2. Do they have a Code of Conduct enforceable if members break this by withdrawing their right to canoe.

Fishermen have been abused verbally and canoeists have deliberately caused a disturbance to the fishing.

3. The owners and tenants pay large sums to maintain the rivers and towards environmental schemes; would the canoeists be prepared to do so also

4. This would mean that they had to have a licence and also carry comprehensive insurance against accidents and ensure that owners were indemnified.

5. There would have to be restrictions out lining of access; i.e. in fishing season and a complete ban on the spawning areas.

6. Some waters already have access, so code of conduct etc. would enhance these. On other voluntary agreements have been agreed - some local clubs agreed these but were vetoed by the W.C.U

7. Existing owners would require compensation for depreciation in the value of their interests.

8. Surely a policy to encourage voluntary agreements is the way forward as any legislation is likely to be extremely complicated.

Sarah Houle