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Advice
Latest moorland management advice from the Moorland Association.


MA Guide: Making a Complaint to Defra about Burning Licence Handling
How to complain to Defra about delay, poor communication or inconsistent handling of a burning licence application. New Moorland Association guidance.

Rob Beeson
May 112 min read


Westminster Wildfire Inquiry: Your Evidence is Needed by 15 May
Urgent: Submit your practical evidence to the EFRA wildfire inquiry by 15 May. The Moorland Association needs your on-the-ground experience to shape policy.

Andrew Gilruth
May 13 min read


MA Escalates Merlin Survey Concerns to Natural England’s Chief Executive
The Moorland Association escalates UK Merlin Survey concerns to Natural England, urging members to withhold access consent until vital data safeguards are met.

Andrew Gilruth
Apr 303 min read


Moorland Association Wildfire Risk League Table
Our Wildfire Risk League Table sets out constituency-level wildfire risk rankings. The analysis draws on open-source data on local fire weather, vegetation volume and the proximity of homes to vegetation fuel.

Rob Beeson
Apr 271 min read


Natural England Moves SSSI Requests Online: What This Means for Moorland Managers
Discover Natural England's new Defra Forms portal for SSSI consents and advice. Learn how this digital shift will hopefully streamline applications for moorland managers.

Rob Beeson
Apr 223 min read


Join Us for the Moorland Association Members’ Day and AGM 2026
Book your place for the Moorland Association Members' Day & AGM 2026 on 19 May. Explore vital upland management research, policy updates, and shape our future.

Andrew Gilruth
Apr 223 min read


Wet Heath Remapping in SSSI Assessments: Are You Seeing This Too?
Is Natural England reclassifying your SSSI land as 'wet heath'? Discover how WFAs impact moorland management and share your experience to help us take action.

Andrew Gilruth
Apr 164 min read


Natural England’s Merlin Survey Access Requests: Members Should Not Be Bounced Into Consent
✅ KEY TAKEAWAY: Resist pressure from vague Natural England access requests. Insist on full written clarification regarding contractors and safeguards before granting entry. Use the Moorland Association’s template to demand absolute transparency. The Moorland Association is aware that members are now being approached by Natural England for access in connection with the 2026 national Merlin survey. These requests appear to be arriving late and with limited detail. Members shoul

Andrew Gilruth
Apr 73 min read


What Does the Science Say About Medicated Grit and the Environment?
A major evidence review finds medicated grit poses little risk on land but could harm aquatic life - if best-practice guidance is not followed.

Rob Beeson
Mar 264 min read


White-Tailed Eagles in Cumbria: Our Consultation Response
The Moorland Association details key concerns over the Cumbrian White-Tailed Eagle Project. Learn how releasing 66+ birds impacts rural land and local farming.

Andrew Gilruth
Mar 133 min read


2026 UK Wildfire & Emissions Data
Get the latest real-time wildfire and emissions data for the UK including total area burnt, number of wildfires, carbon emissions and PM2.5 emissions.

Rob Beeson
Mar 91 min read


Lead Ammunition: What the New Law Means for Grouse Moors
Defra’s lead ammunition ban is now law. With a 1 April 2029 deadline, grouse moors must immediately transition by securing supply, testing alternatives, and preparing.

Andrew Gilruth
Mar 62 min read
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