A wider ban on heather burning on England's moorlands would put lives at risk from catastrophic wildfires, landowners in the region have warned.
Plans announced this week by Defra would extend a ban introduced in 2021 to a further 146,000 hectares of deep peat uplands including large swathes of moorland in the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the Peak District.
Under the proposal, the definition of ‘deep peat’ would be revised to include peat over 30cms deep rather than the previous measure of 40cms.
The designated area for the ban would also be widened to include land designated as ‘less favourable’.
Any burning would need to be done under strict license where there is a clear need such as reducing wildfire risk.
Defra, which says it has the support of Natural England (NE) for the extended ban, said the move would improve air quality in villages, help the country reach net zero by 2050 and expand wildlife-rich habitats.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:
“Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest – home to our most precious wildlife, storing carbon and reducing flooding risk.
“The UK has 13% of the world’s blanket bog.
"A rare global habitat, it is a precious part of our national heritage, and that is why we‘re announcing a consultation on these measures to ensure deep peat is better protected.
“These changes will benefit communities by improving air and water quality, and protect homes and businesses from flood damage, which supports economic stability and security under our plan for change.”
Heather is often burned on moorland used by grouse shoots as it allows more nutritious shoots to grow that are favoured by the birds and other wildlife.
But rural landowners say the practice is also vital to prevent wildfires by controlling the fuel load.
Darren Chadwick, from the Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group, which represents rural estates in the area, said Defra and Natural England had both conceded that the science behind the ban was contentious and included a lack of research in relation to wildfires.
He added:
“For this reason we cannot understand why any government agency would make potentially catastrophic proposals in the absence of comprehensive and definitive research.
“Until all-encompassing studies are carried out into the effects of cool burning the group is of the opinion that these proposals are motivated by political influences and not science.
“Without thorough long-term research and a conclusive understanding of moorland management being in place, we think this is just a case of Defra and NE being puppeted by the government to meet questionable targets on carbon emissions.”
The Moorland Association chief executive Andrew Gilruth said a huge fire on Saddleworth Moor in 2018 occurred on an area where preventative burns had effectively been banned.
He added:
“The fire service report into Saddleworth Moor showed that fires of this nature stop when they want to stop.
"It basically stopped when the weather changed and it started to rain.
“Our concern is that government policy will only change when someone is killed.”
Mr Gilruth said that although licences to burn heather could be applied for in theory, very few were granted and land managers were no longer trying.
Number of primary school children being expelled a 'shocking indictment on society'
Steeton Court Clinches Victory in Annual Christmas Cake Competition
Airedale NHS microbiology staff announce December strike
Patrolling street marshals return to Skipton for festive period
Glusburn Community Arts Centre to host Santa's Grotto and film screening
Skipton MP Welcomes New Law to Protect Livestock and Farmers
Route Revealed for Rudolph's Tractor Run this Sunday
Skipton charity refocuses its mission as demand for children’s mental health support surges
Airedale emergency department 'exceptionally busy' with flu cases rising
Skipton Brass Band Conductor shines on Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors
New school observatory opens to inspire next generation of astronomers
Brave dippers raise more than £5,000 at Sue Ryder’s first Big Dip Dales
Tourism tax would be a 'hammer blow' for hospitality, says Skipton MP
New train timetables on Airedale Line from Sunday
An evening with Inbetweeners comedian in Silsden
Skipton named happiest place to live in the UK
Funding available to help rural community groups grow stronger and work smarter
