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| New Laws to Curb Fly
Camping
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Agriculture Minister Alex Downie has prepared the
Island for a pitch invasion - by banning camping anywhere but on approved
sites. The new legislation is designed to minimise the threat of foot and mouth
disease from those still travelling to the Island for the TT festival.
Despite the cancellation of racing, the government still expects a
significant number of fans to arrive during the festival fortnight and fears
fly camping could result in the first Manx outbreak.
Camping on all but
authorised campsites has been outlawed until September - and authorised need
permission in writing from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry before they can operate.
The order also requires disinfectant
measures at the Island's entry points - which reinforces the current measures.
In order to tackle the perceived threat from bikers' leathers the Order
approves the use of citric acid which can corrode metal but disinfects leather
without harming it.
Mr Downie said: 'I would recommend any visitors to
check with the Department of Tourism and Leisure before they come to make sure
accommodation will be available, particularly to check the list of campsites
approved by my department.
'It is not the fact that these people are
motorcyclists, as some people have suggested, but because of potentially large
numbers, for whom camping and the use of the countryside has been very much a
part of the TT festival. 'With the circumstances as they are, this has to be
carefully controlled this year.
'Though foot and mouth disease seems at
last to be on the wane in the United Kingdom we cannot afford to drop our guard
and take a late knockout blow.'
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