Natural England

An online exchange in the wake of the government's decision to further restrict controlled burning has revealed Natural England's bias on the subject.

Defra has now confirmed the next stage of restrictions on burning vegetation on England’s upland peat.

The government's decision to ban the burning of vegetation on deep peat is misguided and ignores real concerns over wildfire risks.

We welcome Emma Reynolds MP as Secretary of State for DEFRA. The department is crying out for her energy and fresh thinking.

Heather beetle continues to cause concern across the uplands. Members have asked about the role of burning in relation to beetle control and recovery. Below is a summary of past research, observations and opinions drawn from the scientific literature.

A wave of peer-reviewed research from around the world should give serious pause to those intent on sidelining controlled heather burning.

In a powerful column for the Daily Mail, Lord Botham warns that the UK is facing its worst wildfire season on record - and that government policy is making it worse.

Upland communities face significant challenges and have serious concerns regarding moorland management and conservation, often feeling that their traditional ways of life and local expertise are being overlooked.

There has been a steep 73% reduction in fuel load management on our moors since 2021 which has greatly exacerbated the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

We sent this letter to The Guardian in response to their piece - 'The place is bleached, a dead zone’: how the UK’s most beloved landscapes became biodiversity deserts.

Our moorlands are facing an ever-growing threat: devastating wildfires, and the situation is made worse by government policies, notably those influenced by Natural England.

The letter emphasizes our concerns regarding the deterioration of the relationship between the countryside and Natural England.