Protests on hen harrier persecution move to wider questions of upland management – Enlightened upstream management contrasts with the degradation caused by burning heather for grouse shooting
Bob Earll ‘We are in the media silly season when Parliament is in recess and all sorts of news stories hit the headlines. So it is no surprise that the management of our uplands is hitting the headlines. What started as a small annual protest about the persecution of upland birds of prey notably the hen harrier and golden eagle has evolved into a much larger series of annual events questioning the management of the uplands. The importance of upland management has been highlighted by well researched and informed interventions by water companies in what is often referred to as ‘upstream thinking’. This thinking has led to a clear understanding of the multiple benefits of moorlands from flood mitigation, improved water quality, wildlife and carbon sequestration. This is an approach supported by Defra with recent grant aid for moorland restoration. So all of this sits rather badly when set against the approach of grouse shooting estates in burning regimes which serve to fundamentally degrade this habitat over extensive areas of upland. As a wide range of people join up the dots water companies and other public bodies can expect to get routinely sucked into what is becoming an annual debate. This debate sits full square in the media silly season and editors are looking for interesting stories. So look forward to a re-run next summer ….’
Defra Media Blog: The Guardian and grouse moor owners
The Guardian has today reported that the government has been accused of letting wealthy grouse moor owners “off the hook” by not enforcing a compulsory ban on burning heather on moorland estates. Campaign groups argue that landowners who burn heather to help boost the numbers of grouse leave bare peat exposed to the air – harming wildlife that lives in the peatland – and that a voluntary ban is not sufficient. The paper reports that the European Commission has launched an investigation into the government’s approach to rotational burning on blanket bog. The and we have made rapid progress following the introduction of our voluntary approach. As at 7 August, we have received 157 signed voluntary commitments from landowners to cease rotational burning, representing three-quarters of those that were issued, and we are working with the remaining landowners to secure agreements. However, we have also made clear that if this voluntary approach is not successful , we will look at how best to introduce a legal framework. In addition, we have established a £10 million peatlands restoration fund and awarded grants to four partnership projects including areas of blanket bog.
A Defra spokesperson said: Protecting blanket bogs is a priority. We have made rapid progress over the last six months – 157 landowners have committed to cease rotational burning, up from three a year ago, representing the vast majority of blanket bog in England. Natural England is now working closely with these landowners to put management plans in place as soon as possible. However the Environment Secretary has made clear that we will take steps to introduce legislation if our constructive, voluntary approach does not deliver. We are in close contact with the European Commission on this important issue and are keeping them regularly updated.
BBC: Yorkshire water brought into the debate about grouse shooting – Protesters have called on a water company to ban grouse shooting from moorland in West Yorkshire.’
They gathered in Hebden Bridge to urge Yorkshire Water to end shooting the birds on its land.
Yorkshire Water said a “confrontational approach by banning shooting” was not beneficial.
The grouse shooting season begins on Sunday, the “Glorious Twelfth”. The bird lives in the hills and moorland of Scotland and northern England, and people began to shoot the bird for sport in Victorian times. https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/yorkshire-water-urge-collaboration-ahead-of-protest-in-hebden-bridge-over-grouse-shooting-1-9292107