The RSPB's determination to stop controlled burning on peatland risks causing serious damage

Adrian Blackmore, our Director of Shooting, has written an open letter in response to the RSPB's calls on the public to use its new App to report burning on peatland.

Adrian's letter (s) have been sent to both the Yorkshire Post and The News and Star (Cumberland), for publication and can be found below.

Sir,

The RSPB's dogged determination to stop all burning on peatland (App aims to stop burning on peatland, Yorkshire Post, Wednesday 2 February) has more to do with its dislike for grouse shooting rather than its concerns for the environment. If moorland is unmanaged, there is a serious risk of wildfire which can cause significant damage by burning the peat; damage that the RSPB should be only too aware of, given the recent wildfires on moorland for which it has responsibility. The most recent scientific research, which the RSPB appears to be choosing to ignore, has found that: the controlled 'cool' burning of heather as carried out by gamekeepers, can have a positive effect on carbon capture; the loss of controlled burning in the USA led to declines in bird life and an increase in damaging wildfires; environmentally important sphagnum moss recovers quickly; and the greenhouse gas emissions from controlled burning are insignificant compared to emissions from wildfire. The 2019 wildfire of Scotland's Flow Country, as a result of the moorland becoming overgrown, resulted in over 22 square miles of this UNESCO world heritage site being severely damaged, with 700,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent released into the atmosphere, doubling the country's greenhouse gas emissions for the six days it burned. The possibility of wildfires has grown due to climate change, yet the RSPB is wanting to stop an essential management practice that can help both prevent and reduce their devastating impact. That is nothing short of irresponsible.

Adrian Blackmore
Campaign for Shooting Director
Countryside Alliance