Revised muirburn code offers ‘opportunities and challenges’

While the revised code of practice for muirburn which was launched yesterday offers “opportunities and challenges” for the land management sector, organisations representing those who use the centuries old practice claimed it was more policy document than practical guide.

The practice of muirburn is regularly used on grouse moors and involves the burning of patchwork areas of heather and other scrub in order to ensure vegetation on moorlands provides a varied habitat. It has been subject to regulation since 1424, but the code, last updated in 2011, fell under the spotlight following a number of wildfires in 2013.

Launching the new code at Blair Castle in Perthshire, Scotland’s environment secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said that the revisions aimed to minimise the practice’s negative impacts on wildlife, landscapes and ecosystem services, while also enhancing the wider socio-economic and environmental benefits which well-managed muirburn practices could have. However, Dr Adam Smith, director of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scotland said that some aspects of the new code, with its focus on policy rather than practicalities, could be challenging to deliver in “real world” conditions:

“The new code makes it clear that muirburn continues to have a role in stimulating new growth of moorland plant species such as heather and blaeberry that benefit, sheep, deer, grouse and hares.”

But, he questionied some of the code’s focus on soil and water management, adding:

“While we welcome guidance to protect very deep peat habitats and hydrology, there is a lack of evidence for some assumed negative impacts of fire or positive benefits of not burning - and not enough recognition of the positive role of muirburn for biodiversity and reducing the risk of wildfire”.

He said that the GWCT welcomed the cabinet secretary’s confirmation that the muirburn code was a “living document” which could evolve with experience, and said that the grouse moor community had to accept carbon and water issues as management objectives and modify their practices to mitigate or reduce the perceived negative effects.

Anne Gray, senior policy officer at Scottish Land & Estates said the landowners’ organisation welcomed the new code – but would also liked to have seen greater practical guidance on how to carry out muirburn safely “rather than the code functioning primarily as a policy document”.

“However, there is an opportunity for stakeholders to look at a practitioners’ guide more closely to ensure crofters, farmers and gamekeepers have access to the latest advice on muirburn techniques,” she said.