England's Peatlands: Carbon storage and greenhouse gases

Natural England has published a report (NE257) England's Peatlands: Carbon storage and greenhouse gases - a copy can be downloaded from the Natural England website.

The Report provides useful information & background, it is rather one sided, amongst other things:

• it makes no reference to the benefits for other species of grouse moor management
• it appears to discredit the Heather & Grass Burning Regulations and Code
• management input appears to be viewed as completely negative
• it does not address wildfire issues, the risks associated with rank vegetation or the risk reduction benefits offered by prescribed burning
• there is no reference to the need to work with land owners and managers, apart from the still rather confusing message about the potential of carbon trading to provide income
• it does not address the economic importance of the uplands & the support they provide for communities

There is scope to use this Report as a basis for discussion and I am hoping that the heather burning issues can be discussed at the next meeting of the Moorland Burning Working Group that takes place later this month.