Countryside Alliance Response to the Consultation on Heather and Grass Burning in England

The Countryside Alliance has submitted its response to the government’s  consultation on proposed amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, with a view to extending the existing restrictions on the controlled burning of vegetation on peatlands that have been in place in England since 2021.

The government has stated that ‘burning may be a necessary management tool in very limited circumstances’, ‘where absolutely no feasible alternatives exist’, and that ‘burning should be seen as a last resort, where no sustainable alternatives exist’. Its proposal is to: use Less Favoured Areas instead of SSSIs that are also SPAs or SACs to define the regulated area over which controlled burns are prohibited without a licence; reduce the qualifying peat depth from 40cm to 30cm; and change the grounds on which a licence may be granted. This could result in the cessation of burning as a management tool on most, if not all, areas of upland peat, given there is no guarantee that a licence would be issued.

We have serious concerns with the Consultation as it is based on a number of fundamentally flawed assumptions and ignores, or overlooks, the most recent scientific evidence. Some proposals also reveal a total misunderstanding of moorland areas and their management. As a result, the proposals lack the evidence-base necessary to justify changes to the existing Regulations. Rather than protecting the entire area of upland deep peat the proposed changes could have significant negative consequences for the environment and livelihoods.

Given these changes could be expected to increase the number of wildfires which would increase calls on fire services and other public bodies, we have also asked what, if any, discussions have been had with the Home Office and Treasury.

Our response to the Consultation can be read here. It is important that Defra hear from as many people as possible by the closing date of Sunday 25 May, using examples of their knowledge and experience when doing so.

Responses can either be made using the online survey provided,  or by emailing HGBConsultation@defra.gov.uk.