Heather Burning on Peatlands

Opened the debate

On October 9 last year, smoke and air pollution in Sheffield Hallam exceeded legal limits by four times. Residents reported difficulty breathing and respiratory issues due to burning heather on moorlands west of Sheffield. Despite the harmful impact on health and environment, such burns can be lawful under current regulations. The burning undermines efforts to address climate and nature crises by damaging blanket peat bog habitats that store carbon dioxide. In the UK, 13% of the world's blanket peat bogs exist, emitting CO2 equivalent to 140,000 cars annually. Degraded peatlands exacerbate flooding due to loss of sphagnum moss, a natural flood defence.

Government Response

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I thank the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Olivia Blake) for securing this important debate. The United Kingdom boasts some of the world's most extensive peatlands with nearly 3 million hectares of peatland area, which are vital as we protect those sites for future generations. In May 2021, regulations were introduced to prevent burning on areas of peat over 40 cm deep on SSSIs or special protection and conservation areas, except under licence. These regulations have led to a decline in burning since their introduction, with DEFRA securing two successful prosecutions last year. The minister highlighted that burning can be necessary for wildfire mitigation and managing heather growth if mechanical means are not possible. Over 1,000 Lantra-accredited training modules have been completed by public and private land managers since the regulations were developed in 2021 to manage their land in a way that reduces the risk from wildfire. The nature for climate fund provides funding for the restoration of at least 35,000 hectares of peatland by 2025, with DEFRA committing to keep protections against burning on peat under review through the third national adaptation programme. Additionally, over £883 million has been given to local authorities to roll out and assist with clean air zones, including Sheffield's. The minister stated that moorland management must consider all options, and the regulations introduced in 2021 have been well received by many stakeholders.