An attempt to ban all controlled heather and grass burning in its entirety has failed, after MPs rejected a Labour Party amendment to the Environment Bill.
According to the Countryside Alliance, if successful, the amendment would have created conditions for wildfires and put wildlife and the environment at significant risk.
Large stands of rank and woody heather pose a major fire risk due to a significant build-up of fuel loads.
Uncontrolled wildfires cause considerable environmental damage as they burn with greater intensity and burn the peat beneath the vegetation, and prevent the peatland storing water and carbon.
The amendment, which was submitted by Labour’s Shadow Defra Minister Ruth Jones, sought to go beyond the latest regulations, which came into force on May 1, 2021, that prevent the burning of any specified vegetation on areas of peat over 40cm deep on Sites of Special Scientific Interest that are also Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation, except under licence.
Prior to the vote, the Countryside Alliance cited the amendment as an example of an “unfortunate misunderstanding” with regards to the importance of heather and grass burning to reduce fuel load in order to reduce the chances of wildfires in England.
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance said:
“Labour MPs need to look at the horrendous fires on Marsden Moor and Saddleworth Moor to understand what happens when controlled burning is prohibited.
Stopping an essential practice that is carried out to protect the public, environment and wildlife risks fuelling the fire and would obviously be catastrophic, but it further reinforces the concerns that many in rural communities have about Labour’s priorities when it comes to the countryside.
“While we are glad this latest attempt has failed, it is very sad that Labour continues to propose damaging legislation and has not consulted with land mangers or rural representative bodies.”
