BASC has created a new brief featuring the latest available evidence on controlled burning following an ongoing misinformed lobby to ban the essential management process.
Titled ‘Don’t ban the burn’; the brief highlights the potential dangers and consequences if burning were to be banned. So far it has been sent individually to all councillors in Yorkshire and will be used to educate over a 1000 decision makers prior to the grouse season opening 12 August.
Gareth Dockerty, BASC’s uplands officer, said: “This brief is aimed at fighting the misleading and potentially damaging campaign lobbying for a full ban on burning on peatland. The brief is part of an educational push to have all decision makers and councillors understand the complexities within the debate.
“Policies should be made with all the available evidence. BASC will not permit those in a position of power to be hoodwinked by cherry picked arguments and emotional sentiment.
“BASC’s position is clear. Burning vegetation in the uplands is an essential tool in wildlife management and mitigation. Burning can increase biodiversity. Its use is site dependent and it is wrong to say that you should always burn or never burn.”
“If you live in Yorkshire your local councillor has been sent this brief, however, concerned members of the shooting community may want to use the brief also or enquire if your local councillor has indeed read the latest research on burning”.
