Thursday 17 March 2011

Wales: Heather & Grass Burning

The current Heather and grass burning season in Wales will end in upland areas on 31 March and ended elsewhere on 15 March.  Upland areas are defined as land in the Severely Disadvantaged Area or Less Favoured Area.

In Wales, there is a requirement to complete a Burning Management Plan for all proposed fires.  Information about the legal requirements and guidance on safe burning can be found in the Heather and Grass Burning Code for Wales.  A copy, together with the Burning Management Plan Template, can be downloaded from the Welsh Assembly Government’s website.


I would be very interested to hear from anyone who is burning in Wales about how they view the Heather & Grass Burning Code and the Burning Plan Template.  Is the system working well or would some changes improve the system. 

2 comments:

  1. I don't know why there is a Burning Code as the farmers/commoners in my area take absolutely NO NOTICE of it. There was a second massive burn on Mynydd Betws (near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire)on the NIGHT of Monday (28th March)into Tuesday (29th). They were both uncontrolled, property threatening, no doubt without a Burning Management Plan, etc. If confronted after the event they blame 'kids'. They have a TOTAL disregard for rules, regulations, people, property, wildlife etc. etc. So what's to be done when proof is difficult to obtain?? Regards, Scorched Earth

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  2. I share your concerns. Stamping out this sort of practice could be achieved by tighter regulation, but this is unlikely to be effective. I favour raising the awareness of the damage that uncontrolled burning causes to grazing as well as conservation interests. With greater understanding, it is likely that peer pressure will reduce the amount of burning carried out by 'the kids'.

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