GWCT Scotland fired up by Muirburn Code

The launch of Scotland’s Muirburn Code by Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham today poses opportunities and challenges for the land management sector.

Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scotland has been part of the process of discussion around the new Code that places the traditional and necessary management tool of muirburn, the burning of heather and grass, in a Scottish Government policy context.

The new Code makes it clear that muirburn continues to have role in stimulating new growth of moorland plant species, such as heather and blaeberry, that benefit, sheep, deer, grouse and hares. The issues that land managers, who use this centuries old technique, now face are how to incorporate this with the Code’s clearly defined interest in soil and water management.

Dr Adam Smith, director of GWCT Scotland, pictured right, said: “This new Code is much more policy document than practical guide to doing good things for our game and wildlife with muirburn. 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. It also seems likely that some of the Code changes will prove challenging to deliver in real world conditions. 

“We welcome assurances that this is a ‘living document’ so we can continue to feedback our experience of muirburn into the Code so it can evolve over the years.”

The launch of the Revised Muirburn Code media release (from the Moorland Forum) is available here.