At the time of writing (March 8th) you will all be well aware of the spread of foot and mouth disease and the disastrous impact it is having on an already afflicted farming community, but also the spin-off effects that have reached the sport and tourism industry. The disease at the time of writing is confined in Scotland to Kirkcudbrightshire and Dumfriesshire and so far all cases throughout the UK have been traceable back to the same source - none have been spread by the wind or the movements of the public. The SCA has taken the position that the best course of practice is to ask people to follow the advice of the Scottish Executive. This can be found on our Website www.scot-canoe.org or on the Scottish Executive Website www.scotland.gov.uk. We consider that the Executive and MAFF are the agencies with the overall responsibility for controlling the disease and delivering the powers needed to manage public access, and that their advice will be based on the expert opinion of the veterinary profession. We do not see any need to exceed the measures that they are suggesting are undertaken by the local authorities, the general public or anyone organising a sporting event. Basic advice from the Scottish Executive, which would apply to paddlers in non-infected areas, is as follows: · Visitors to Scotland are welcome · Avoid contact with livestock · Avoid land on which livestock have recently grazed · Adhere to any restrictions where these are in place (this is not the time to assert a right of access!) In infected areas, the situation is different - large areas of land normally open to the public will be prohibited and outdoor and sporting events should be postponed. Organisers of events must undertake a risk assessment of their event, and liase with local landowners and public bodies