As the tenant responsible for Southdown Farm, I feel I need to respond to Mr Gerry Miles’s letter of last week. The cliff ground in question is an SSSI site and under the Natural England regulations is to be grazed with cattle in winter.

We are therefore obliged to run these wonderful animals over these 66 acres allowing them to keep and improve the flora, and therefore fauna, for the enjoyment of all.

Under separate Government management rules of the higher level stewardship, we are not allowed to graze with any livestock, the “acres upon acres of pasture” in the adjoining fields at Southdown Farm during the winter months.

Two main reasons for winter grazing on the cliff ground are the obvious one of not allowing the cattle over an area flowering with squill, bluebell, heather, thyme and reed – all of which have been created or managed by the cattle in the first place.

The other is the pressure of people and dogs which increases ten fold from Easter onwards.

Southdown Farm has many public footpaths crossing its land and – as Mr Miles pointed out ­– some of which do not have any livestock grazing. These may be a better alternative for anyone who feels apprehensive around these docile animals.

Colin Mills, Southdown Farm, Malborough