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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken to assess the impact of grouse moors on the management of water flows and flooding.

Various studies have been undertaken to look at the impact of the management carried out on grouse moors. These include a Natural England Review of Upland Evidence published in 2013.

Peatbog restoration is also being carried out on grouse moors, which could potentially help to reduce flood risk. The Government has invested £1.69 million in community partnerships looking at natural flood management solutions including peatbog restoration.

Defra is currently funding a York University project entitled “Restoration of blanket bog vegetation for biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water regulation”, which look at the different impacts of cutting and burning as heather management tools, including the impact on hydrology. The results of this research will be published in 2017.