CHAIRMAN of the North York Moors National Park Authority, Helen Schroeder, made a casting vote on Monday following a lengthy discussion on whether fencing should be allowed on the Moors.

She put her vote behind members who did not wish to see fencing despite strong pleas to go against park policy and allow it by half of the meeting.

Many members spoke in favour of allowing a temporary fence on Westerdale Moor, covering the Farndale Valley and Danby High Moors, in a bid to stop sheep from roaming too far. But when it came to the vote, ten-ten was registered.

Park chief executive Andy Wilson said the subject of fencing was a big issue, both locally and nationally. "A serious situation exists with regard to continued grazing of the moorland. This has major environmental, economic and social implications that are not easily resolved. We are faced with a real dilemma of how to help sheep farmers and still protect the Moors and keep them as open space.

"This authority has, in the past, supported farmers' issues more than any other authority, but I have grave reservations about permitting fencing, its effect on the landscape and tourism.

"I would like first to see the idea of providing and seeking grants to bring in shepherds to help contain and collect the flocks. If we allow this one fence we are going to find it difficult to refuse others," he said.

The number of flocks of sheep on the Moors has been in slow decline for many years. Conditions are harsher and productivity poorer than on in-bye grazing. The effects of foot-and-mouth disease have increased the problem.

Nine complete flocks were culled during the crisis, some of which will be replaced slowly over the next five years. But the loss of a flock results in the adjacent sheep spreading out, increasing the difficulty of gathering and management.

A request has been made from a sheep farmer to allow a kilometre of fencing to keep his flocks together. The Ramblers' Association and Open Spaces Organisation have registered objections to this move.

Coun Herbert Tindall, of Danby, said: "If nothing is done, I can assure you that there will be no sheep on the Moors in the near future and the moorland will end up covered in scrub trees which will smother out the heather. I have talked to many graziers, we should listen to them, and they know what they are talking about.

"It is all right talking of bringing in shepherds to round up and manage the flocks, but it takes years to train as a shepherd. The training is usually handed down form father to son and I can't see a farmer wanting a strange shepherd and dog among his flock."

Hawson Simpson added: "I think fencing, though a reluctant move, is inevitable. Surely a kilometre of fencing on 7,000 acres of moorland can't be described as claustrophobic!"

After the vote, it was suggested that money be put aside to bring in shepherds.