Alliance raise concerns over 'environmental vandalism' following Yorkshire moor footage

An investigation has been launched after shocking footage emerged online showing a tractor cutting heather on Baildon moor, an area managed by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

The footage sparked fury among rural campaign groups who have criticised the poor timing and impact such disturbance will have on threatened species of ground nesting birds, and have questioned the council's ability to manage this area of valuable moorland.

April is the key breeding season for ground nesting birds, including golden plover and curlew – the highest priority conservation species in the United Kingdom for the RSPB and Natural England. The late timing of this cutting also means that it is unlikely that earlier heather control has been carried out, leaving concerns over the risk of wildfires.

In a statement following the emergence of the footage, Sam Carlisle, Shooting Campaign Manager at the Countryside Alliance said: "To cut heather at this time of year, as some of our most precious red listed bird species, such as curlew and golden plover, are nesting, is an act of environmental vandalism."

Upon being made aware of the footage, the Countryside Alliance contacted Bradford Metropolitan Council to ask for comment.

A spokesman for the Council said: " We'd like to thank people for bringing this to our attention. Without our knowledge or permission someone has mown strips of vegetation on Baildon Moor. This is extremely concerning due to it being the season for ground nesting birds and to damage nests is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This matter has been passed to the police and Natural England and we are working with them to investigate."

The Alliance has responded to say that we will be keen to follow the progress of the investigation and are happy to help appeal for further information.

Readers may remember that in January 2018, Bradford Council's Labour Group voted not to renew grouse shooting rights to the Bingley Moor Partnership on the nearby lkley Moor, in what was described as a 'politically motivated attack' on the industry. At the time, the Countryside Alliance expressed its concern over whether the Council would have the knowledge and necessary funding to continue managing the moor.

Speaking after the decision to the local media at the time, Adrian Blackmore, Director of Shooting at the Countryside Alliance, said: "The taxpayers of Bradford need to ask their councillors why they will now be paying tens of thousands of pounds to undertake work currently paid for by private investment. The Alliance will now be calling on the Council not only to maintain the levels of funding that have to date been put into Ilkley Moor by the Bingley Moor Partnership, but also to monitor the levels of wildlife following this change in management."