In its response to a Defra consultation in May, the NFU stressed the importance of the upland farming sector in vegetation management that reduces the risks to peat from wildfires.
It questioned the evidence behind aspirations to 鈥榬ewet鈥� all deep peatlands.
The submission said the proposals as set out would 鈥榮ignificantly increase the risk of wildfires鈥�, putting people, livestock and the environment in danger.
At the same time, they would undermine the sustainability of businesses reliant on upland grazing, reducing palatable forage and increasing animal welfare threats from ticks in overgrown vegetation.
鈥�Defra鈥檚 proposed changes to heather and grassland burning lack proven evidence and seriously undermine upland farmers鈥� ability to manage some of our most treasured landscapes and care for the environment.鈥�
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
Uplands farmers facing huge challenges
Upland farmers, the NFU added, already faced threats on several fronts, including government decisions on inheritance tax, a lack of access to Environmental Land Management schemes and accelerated cuts to delinked payments, as well as proposals in the recent Land Use Framework.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: 鈥淒efra鈥檚 proposed changes to heather and grassland burning lack proven evidence and seriously undermine upland farmers鈥� ability to manage some of our most treasured landscapes and care for the environment.聽
鈥淲ith one of the driest springs on record and data suggesting wildfires are on the rise, restricting burning could allow vegetation to become overgrown, further increasing wildfire risk and damage to the soil, peatland and wildlife. These proposals also risk undermining the productivity and sustainability of upland farms.
鈥淭o protect the environment and restore peatland 鈥� a shared goal we have with Defra 鈥� while keeping upland businesses at the heart of rural communities, it鈥檚 essential that Defra conducts an impact assessment and invests in research into cool burning as a viable alternative.鈥�
What was in the consultation?
Proposed changes to the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 would see the current definition of 鈥榙eep peat鈥� revised to include anything over 30cm, rather than the current 40cm, and use Less Favoured Areas to determine the regulated area, rather than sites of special scientific interest, special protection, or areas of conservation.
More than 146,000 extra hectares of land would become 鈥榠n scope鈥�.
Elsewhere, the licensing system would require applicants to 鈥榮uccessfully explain鈥� why alternative methods of heather control have not, or would not, work.
At least one person conducting a burn would need to have completed mandatory training.
The proposals are supported by a new England Peat Map, a detailed, open-access map of peatlands, covering extent, depth, and condition published earlier in the month. Early feedback from NFU members has suggested inaccuracies in the Natural England project.
