Have your say on heather and grassland burning issues

People who have an interest in, and are involved in managing heather and grasslands, are being asked for their opinions on proposed changes to the laws and Code of Practice governing heather and grass burning in England.

Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight said that public input was an important part of a review of the controls over heather and grass burning to ensure that practices were sustainable and advantageous for wildlife, game management, and agriculture across England.

"Careful periodic burning can have advantages for both agriculture and wildlife conservation, including game birds," he said.

"However, ill-considered burning can be counter-productive, leading

to loss of biodiversity, and damaging valuable peat soils, leading to erosion, so we need to strike a balance."

Mr Knight said the Government was inviting comments from anyone with

an interest in effective management of both upland and lowland areas in England, with a view to simplifying and improving the regulations and Code of Practice.

"We are investigating what updating might be necessary in the light of current scientific knowledge, and on what the proper balance should be - including the provision of advice, voluntary initiatives, and training."

"The review also addresses the contribution that sustainable burning practices may be able to make to the condition of wildlife Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and to protection of soils, water, and air."

The Government aims to implement any changes to burning controls by 1 September 2006, so that the benefits from any changes are experienced in the next burning season.

The consultation period will run for 12 weeks, and all responses

should be received by 08 December, 2005.