IT IS one of the biggest dilemmas to grip rural West Penwith in recent years and district councillors have proved themselves as torn as their constituents.

To graze or not to graze was debated at a meeting at St John's Hall in Penzance.

Penwith District Council's Social Economic and Environment (SE&E's) committee's refusal to sit on one side of the fence, has frustrated anti-grazing campaigners.

The committee has instead voted in favour of recommending that the authority set up a heathland working group to discuss grazing related problems.

"It is crucial that the council take a view on this but all they have done is decide not to decide," muttered a deflated campaigner, after the meeting.

Defending the committe's decision, Matthew Barton, assistant chief executive, said that because the council is not accountable for the Natural England's grazing project and no council land is involved, any objections would "probably not affect the process".

"That is why we have chosen to set up a working group.

"At least this way we can secure long term monitoring and dialogue on the project," he said.

Heathland grazing is Natural England's answer to controlling gorse and scrub that chokes heathland, covering the nesting and feeding ground of birds and butterflies.

The government agency argues that cattle will trample young shoots of gorse and bracken and that an effective use of public money is to pay to pay farmers to graze herds.

The guidelines advise a ratio of one cow per four hectares.

However, anti-grazing campaigners argue that fencing required to stop cattle toppling down disused copper mines will ruin the wild, untamed feeling and deter tourists.

A meeting of the full council on December 3 will decide upon the SE&E's recommendation.

:: For more on this story, see your Cornishman on Thursday.