Natural England

A new Code has been published today (Thursday 2 August) to help farmers and landowners that use burning as a land management technique to do so safely, responsibly and to protect the environment. New Regulations that cut red tape and introduce new protection for carbon-rich soils were also announced. Natural England will be responsible for encouraging good burning practice in line with the Code and for administering the new Regulations once they come into force on 1 October 2007.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair Natural England, said: "Burning is a traditional practice used by many landowners and, if done sensitively, can play an important part in sustainably managing some of our most valuable habitats and helping to tackle climate change."

Natural England has worked with people from over 14 organisations representing landowners and farmers and voluntary bodies to create expert up-to-date advice on how to carry out burning in ways which benefit wildlife, and protect carbon rich soils. It could help reverse the decline of Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats such as blanket bog. It will also help achieve favourable condition on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, particularly in upland England where over 65,000 hectares of moorland are in unfavourable condition due to burning. Protecting soils rich in carbon, such as upland peat, prevents release of carbon dioxide, helping to address climate change, and reduces the scarring of the landscape.

The code sets a new industry standard for burning. Breaches of the Regulations could attract fines of up to £1,000 and future burning may be more restricted.

Notes to Editors

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Details of the Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2007 and the Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007 can be found on our website at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/farming-wildlife/burning/default.htm.

2. The Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2007 replace old Regulations made in 1986, and will come into force from 1 October. The new rules:

• reduce red-tape by removing the requirement for burners to contact all their neighbours prior to burning
• keep the safety requirements of the 1986 Regulations, for example by restricting burning to the cooler wetter months, and requiring sufficient personnel and equipment to be present during a burn
• introduce new protection for soils via banning types of burning which risk soil exposure and erosion, which can harm wildlife, pollute water courses and cause carbon to be lost from peat soils.

The Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007 was written by Natural England in partnership with grouse moor managers, farmers and other experts. It sets out the most up-to-date expert advice on how to burn in ways which benefit and do not harm wildlife, peat soils and the wider environment.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.