Defra & Natural England

A stopped hen harrier tag doesn't equal a moorland crime. Download the Moorland Association's open register of 269 tagged birds to explore the actual evidence.

The Court of Appeal refused our challenge to the 2025 heather burning regulations. We now need members to test the licensing system to prove its flaws.

Natural England's advice to "shoot to scare" protected goshawks exposes a confused licensing system. Read why this flawed policy is regulatory theatre.

Review the Moorland Association's draft response to Defra's trail hunting consultation. Help protect lawful working dogs and avoid unintended landowner liabilities.

The Moorland Association outlines its response to Defra's HRA consultation, calling for practical, consistent assessments to protect moors and upland management.

Exmoor's eagle release relies on lowland Isle of Wight data. This isn't enough to justify the larger, higher-risk Cumbrian upland reintroduction.

The Moorland Association urges Defra and Natural England to publish the audit trail proving NEER155 on controlled burning had a rigorous peer review.

The Moorland Association escalates UK Merlin Survey concerns to Natural England, urging members to withhold access consent until vital data safeguards are met.

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.

Discover the true scope of the Merlin survey. Natural England and RSPB documents reveal wider data collection. Read the MA's advice on granting consent.

The Moorland Association urges caution on golden eagle reintroduction in Northern England. Members must look past media hype and demand robust practical evidence.

The Moorland Association challenges Natural England over "rigorous peer review" claims after new evidence gaps and missing records are revealed. Read the latest update.