Defra’s Heather Burning Consultation Is Unravelling - It’s Time to Speak Up

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, before the consultation closes on 25th May.

First and foremost, the foundation of the consultation - the so-called "evidence review" - is now widely discredited. Documents from Natural England, upon which Defra has relied heavily, have been exposed as fundamentally flawed:

• Moorland Association Calls for Natural England to Withdraw Its New Document Defining Favourable Conservation Status of Blanket Bog

• Flawed Report, Flawed Policy: Natural England Failure on Heather Burning

• Heather Burning Consultation: Why We’ve Called for a Pause and What We’ve Said if It Goes Ahead

As a result, the University of York has formally insisted its name be removed from the review and Natural England has done so. That speaks volumes.

What’s more alarming is that Natural England’s own policy direction has contributed directly to worsening wildfire risk. By discouraging traditional heather management like controlled burning, they’ve effectively promoted fuel build-up across our uplands.

The result? Wildfires now burn hotter, more destructively, and deeper into the peat - releasing the very carbon stores we’re all supposedly trying to protect.

Even a primary school child could have told them: more vegetation means more fuel. More fuel means more intense fires. And intense fires mean catastrophic damage to habitats and peatlands.

Faced with this rather glaring oversight, Defra has been swamped with consultation responses from across the country. Panic seems to have set in - perhaps due to pressure from conservation activists, the sort who spend more time in windowless offices than out on the hill - or maybe from within Natural England itself. We may never know.

Either way, the good news is this: Defra is now accepting all relevant information, not just responses to the original consultation questions. That means you can send your thoughts, your evidence, and your experiences directly.

Email your comments to:

HGBConsultation@defra.gov.uk

Be sure to include:

• Your name

• Your address

• Whether you would like your submission to remain confidential

If you do wish to complete the consultation in full, please read our advice on how to so first.

This is a rare opportunity to correct the course of policy before more damage is done to our landscapes, our wildlife, and our communities. Your voice matters - now more than ever. Let’s make sure it’s heard.

Free Webinar - 6-7pm, Thursday 22nd May

There is a free webinar taking place on Thursday 22nd May which will provide guidance on responding to the consultation.

Representatives from the Moorland Association, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Heather Trust, , NGO, Peak District Moorland Group, BASC, CLA, NFU and National Sheep Association will be on hand to provide helpful information and guidance to assist you in formulating your response.

Please register your interest in attending this event.

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