Countryside Alliance Briefing Note: Heather Burning

The Countryside Alliance have produced a short briefing note on heather burning. The debate over the use of controlled heather burning as a key element of moorland management continues to be polarised, with opposition to the long-established practice often citing science that is now nearly a decade old.

A review of research from 2013 - 2020 carried out by respected scientists has now found that the conclusions of the previous science are out of date and cannot be regarded as a safe basis for policy decision-making today. This is particularly important given that the Government is currently developing a strategy for peatland.

The Uplands Partnership, which compromises leading countryside organisations, including the Countryside Alliance, has produced Peatland Protection: The Science, four key reports, which collates the latest scientific findings. This dossier is highly significant in that it strongly recommends that any policy discussions should take cognisance of the latest research.

You can read the full briefing note here.