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

To ask His Majesty's Government what measurements they plan to make of the air pollution and consequent health impacts of heather burning for grouse shooting on adjoining communities during the October 1 to April 15 season; and what steps they have taken to ensure that the law against burning on deep peat is complied with, including the compilation of maps to indicate areas that should not be burnt.

Defra does not plan to assess the impacts of heather burning on air quality. Monitoring networks measure air quality across the country on an ongoing basis, and measurements are made available on our UK-AIR website (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/). This service provides specific health advice based on the level of pollution.

The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 and associated guidance sets out the very limited circumstances where burning of vegetation will be seen as a permissible activity, when conducted in the right place for the right reasons.

An England Peat Map is being created which, when complete, will help managers understand the distribution of peat. The map will be available in 2024 and detail the extent, location and condition of peat in England, including peat depth. The map will be produced from a mix of existing peat data (including data shared by stakeholders), new field survey data, and through use of remote sensing and earth observation modelling techniques.

Burning occurs at small scale and peat depth also varies at small scale. This makes it difficult to produce maps that are definitive and any maps available are best considered indicative. Land managers are therefore encouraged to test peat depth in locations where burning is proposed.

If anyone believes an illegal burn has taken place they can report it directly to Natural England’s Enforcement Team, who check the locations against records of protected sites and environmental data and carry out investigatory site visits as required. Any unlicenced burning of vegetation on sites to which the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) 2021 applies, will be investigated.

It would be inappropriate to comment in respect of current investigations.