Natural England

There’s a quiet but critical conversation unfolding in Westminster right now: should Natural England be reformed, or scrapped entirely? For many in the countryside - gamekeepers, conservationists, farmers, and landowners alike - it’s a question long overdue.

A report commissioned by the Campaign for the Protection of Moorland Communities looks closely at issues surrounding moorland management, suggesting that current policies, heavily influenced by some nature groups, may be creating more problems than they solve.

Ahead of Sunday's deadline we have submitted our response to Defra's Heather & Grass Burning Consultation.

The current Defra consultation on heather burning is beginning to fall apart under the weight of its own failings – and it’s critical that we act now to make our voices heard.

We're looking to build a network of individuals who are willing to spend just 10 minutes a week submitting simple, well-crafted FOI requests.

Over the last five years, Natural England's budget has ballooned by 73%, now standing at an eye-watering £318 million. Staff numbers have surged too, with around 3,000 people now on the payroll.

Time is running out to respond to Defra’s consultation on heather and grass burning. The deadline is 25th May, and it’s vital that those who understand the uplands - the people who live, work, and manage this land - make their voices heard.

Natural England’s recent evidence review on heather burning was presented as a definitive scientific update. Instead, it stands as a case study in how selective methodology, excluded expertise, and misrepresented findings can produce a flawed and unbalanced document.

The Moorland Association has prepared its draft response to Defra’s consultation on Heather and Grass Burning in England. While our first and strongest recommendation is that this consultation be paused, we’ve also made sure to respond in full should the Government press ahead.

Read our advice on how to complete Defra's Heather Burning consultation.

Natural England’s new document 'Definition of Favourable Conservation Status for Blanket Bog' should be withdrawn and rewritten.

This blog post examines the decline of breeding waders within the Berwyn Special Protection Area (SPA) in North Wales, exploring the potential reasons behind it and, most importantly, what lessons we can learn for the future of our precious upland birds.