Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what analysis the Environment Agency has conducted on the condition of blanket bog on moorland currently managed for grouse shooting; and the condition it believes to be optimal for slowing water flows.

It is Natural England that has a duty under the Habitat Regulations to review any consents/permissions which were issued prior to designation as a European Site. Previously there was discretion as to whether the activities covered by the consents could be tackled through incentives and/or advice rather than formally affirming, modifying or revoking the consent. This discretionary aspect has been removed and under the 2012 amendment of the Habitats Regulations 2010 (Section 23) Natural England now has the legal duty to affirm, modify or revoke any consents issued on European sites, as soon as reasonably practicable.

As part of an England-wide strategy to restore blanket bog to Favourable Conservation Status, Natural England is currently reviewing all consents on blanket bog in line with the duty above (including those which permit burning) and working with landowners to put in place sustainable management and use of these sensitive areas. This will include completing the necessary programme of capital works such as grip-blocking to restore the natural hydrology of the bog and seeding/planting of peat-forming species such as cotton grasses and sphagnum mosses.

Blocking moorland grips (drainage channels) can slow overland flow and reduce the speed at which water enters rivers and streams, especially in small catchments and the upper reaches of larger ones.

Recent research sponsored by Defra shows that restoring moorland habitats can slow overland flow leading to delayed and reduced peak discharge in small catchments. However, it remains difficult to demonstrate the benefits of land use change in larger catchments.

Any upland land management measures introduced to help mitigate flooding need to be considered alongside a full range of other options including hard and soft engineering solutions and other floodplain management options.‎