This Government is committed to protecting peatlands. In September 2025, the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021 were amended, expanding restrictions on unnecessary burning practices, to enhance protection of upland deep peat and improve the resilience of moorlands. A range of new scientific evidence, subject to appropriate academic rigour, was assessed within the context of the cumulative evidence base. Evidence showed that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function.  The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

Defra continues to monitor the growing evidence on this topic. As part of its delivery of the Third National Adaptation Programme, Defra has commissioned a wildfire and peatland study, which includes looking at the effectiveness of a range of peatland land management systems and practices in creating wildfire resilience. Defra will continue to monitor these results and engage with key stakeholders.

This Government is committed to protecting peatlands. In September 2025, the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021 were amended, expanding restrictions on unnecessary burning practices, to enhance protection of upland deep peat and improve the resilience of moorlands.

Under the Regulations, land managers can apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative and where there is a clear, evidenced need. Applicants must provide robust evidence demonstrating why alternative vegetation management methods are not feasible and must set out what wider actions they are taking to move the site away from the need to burn in future.

Restrictions on burning through The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 aim to reduce the impacts of unnecessary repeated burning on peatlands. Repeated burning can alter species composition and hydrology, resulting in peatlands that are often dominated by heather or Molinia.

As part of its delivery of the Third National Adaptation Programme, Defra has commissioned a wildfire and peatland study, which includes looking at the effectiveness of a range of peatland land management systems and practices in creating wildfire resilience including practices such as grazing, mowing and controlled burning. Defra will continue to monitor these results and engage with key stakeholders.

The 2025 Definition of Favourable Conservation Status for Blanket Bog describes conditions in which blanket bog thrives across its natural range. It states that both prescribed burning and wildfire can damage blanket peat hydrology. Fully functioning blanket bog is a self-sustaining climax habitat that requires no management intervention and is naturally resilient to wildfire. However, restoration measures may be needed on degraded sites to recover hydrological function. The Heather and Grass Management Code 2025 provides relevant guidance. The government recognises that prescribed burning may be necessary in limited circumstances, and managers can apply for a licence where wildfire risk is evidenced and no practical alternatives exist.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The Regulations reflect the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management and protect areas of moorland where intensive management is known to occur on deep peat. A licensing scheme was introduced alongside the regulations in 2021 and has been maintained under the 2025 amendments. This enables land managers to apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative. Burning is one of several tools available to land managers to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. Other land management methods are not restricted by these regulations, which cover roughly 5% of England’s land area.

Defra relies on good quality evidence to inform its decision-making and policy design. Whilst we know that damage from burning can occur at any depth, evidence shows that at 30cm, peatlands are capable of sustaining blanket bog habitat. Natural England’s Evidence Review on the effects of managed burning in upland peatland (NEER155) was one source of information which fed into the decision to amend the Regulations. NEER155 built on Natural England’s 2013 review (NEER004) by incorporating 102 new studies, which were assessed and subjected to the appropriate academic rigour. The overall findings and conclusions of NEER155 remained consistent with those of the 2013 review. It concluded that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function. The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The Regulations reflect the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management and protect areas of moorland where intensive management is known to occur on deep peat. A licensing scheme was introduced alongside the regulations in 2021 and has been maintained under the 2025 amendments. This enables land managers to apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative. Burning is one of several tools available to land managers to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. Other land management methods are not restricted by these regulations, which cover roughly 5% of England’s land area.

Defra relies on good quality evidence to inform its decision-making and policy design. Whilst we know that damage from burning can occur at any depth, evidence shows that at 30cm, peatlands are capable of sustaining blanket bog habitat. Natural England’s Evidence Review on the effects of managed burning in upland peatland (NEER155) was one source of information which fed into the decision to amend the Regulations. NEER155 built on Natural England’s 2013 review (NEER004) by incorporating 102 new studies, which were assessed and subjected to the appropriate academic rigour. The overall findings and conclusions of NEER155 remained consistent with those of the 2013 review. It concluded that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function. The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The Regulations reflect the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management and protect areas of moorland where intensive management is known to occur on deep peat. A licensing scheme was introduced alongside the regulations in 2021 and has been maintained under the 2025 amendments. This enables land managers to apply for a licence to burn to reduce the impacts of wildfire where there is no feasible alternative. Burning is one of several tools available to land managers to manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risk. Other land management methods are not restricted by these regulations, which cover roughly 5% of England’s land area.

Defra relies on good quality evidence to inform its decision-making and policy design. Whilst we know that damage from burning can occur at any depth, evidence shows that at 30cm, peatlands are capable of sustaining blanket bog habitat. Natural England’s Evidence Review on the effects of managed burning in upland peatland (NEER155) was one source of information which fed into the decision to amend the Regulations. NEER155 built on Natural England’s 2013 review (NEER004) by incorporating 102 new studies, which were assessed and subjected to the appropriate academic rigour. The overall findings and conclusions of NEER155 remained consistent with those of the 2013 review. It concluded that burning, especially repeated burning, results in a departure from the typical structure of these habitats and can impact how they function. The Government remains satisfied that the Regulations are supported by the available evidence.

The Government is committed to protecting England’s peatlands. The Heather and Grass Burning Regulations establish a licensing regime for burning on protected peatland with a peat depth of more than 30cm.

Suspected breaches of the Regulations are subject to an assessment process and, where appropriate, referred for investigation. Defra Counter Fraud and Investigations (CFI) officers investigating allegations of unauthorised burning follow the policies and guidance outlined within the Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2021 and amended 2025.

Whilst we don’t comment on individual investigations, within the last two years, CFI have been referred 8 HGB investigations for potential breaches. The Department does not hold information on cases where any initial assessment may subsequently have been revised following an independent expert assessment.

Within the last 12 months, Defra CFI have undertaken one enforcement visit in relation to suspected breaches of the Heather and Grass burning regulations. We do not immediately hold the information regarding the costs associated with the visit and the wider triage and assessment process.

Decision on enforcement action or issuing cautions are taken in accordance with the Defra enforcement policy. The decision is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances of the offence and enforcement considerations.

The Government is committed to protecting England’s peatlands. The Heather and Grass Burning Regulations establish a licensing regime for burning on protected peatland with a peat depth of more than 30cm.

Suspected breaches of the Regulations are subject to an assessment process and, where appropriate, referred for investigation. Defra Counter Fraud and Investigations (CFI) officers investigating allegations of unauthorised burning follow the policies and guidance outlined within the Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2021 and amended 2025.

Whilst we don’t comment on individual investigations, within the last two years, CFI have been referred 8 HGB investigations for potential breaches. The Department does not hold information on cases where any initial assessment may subsequently have been revised following an independent expert assessment.

Within the last 12 months, Defra CFI have undertaken one enforcement visit in relation to suspected breaches of the Heather and Grass burning regulations. We do not immediately hold the information regarding the costs associated with the visit and the wider triage and assessment process.

Decision on enforcement action or issuing cautions are taken in accordance with the Defra enforcement policy. The decision is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances of the offence and enforcement considerations.

The National Fire Chiefs Council provided input to Defra’s consultation on the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations in 2025 and the department continues to engage with them closely on wildfire matters.

Careful choice of land management techniques, including grazing at appropriate levels, is part of the toolkit in reducing the risks and severity of wildfires. However, influencing human behaviour will be essential in preventing most wildfires from starting. On Dartmoor, Natural England has supported and advised on the development and implementation of a strategic Wildfire Management Plan for the Dartmoor commons. This has been funded through Farming in Protected Landscapes in partnership with Dartmoor Commoners Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Fire & Rescue and individual commoners associations. This has funded training in wildfire management and control, the creation of fire breaks for each common and other capital works such river crossings for emergency vehicles.

This Government is committed to protecting moorlands. In September 2025, we amended the Heather and Grass Burning (England) Regulations 2021 to improve the resilience of our moorlands. The regulations are supported by the Heather and Grass Management Code 2025, which reflects the latest available evidence to guide sustainable land management. The Government's focus is on supporting the effective implementation of the Code.

Defra invest in and review emerging research and evidence to inform Government policy and practice relating to wildfire. As part of its delivery of the Third National Adaptation Programme, Defra has commissioned a wildfire and peatland study, which includes looking at the effectiveness of a range of peatland land management systems and practices in creating wildfire resilience including practices such as grazing, mowing and controlled burning as well as peat restoration. Defra will continue to monitor developments in the evidence base and engage with key stakeholders.

Defra continues to work closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire and Rescue Services on matters relating to wildfire.

In addition, Local Fire and Rescue Services provide advice on all heather and grass burning licence applications relating to wildfire mitigation.

Careful choice of land management techniques can play a part in reducing wildfire impacts and bring a wide range of public benefits, but influencing human behaviour will be essential in preventing most wildfires from starting. Decisions on the most appropriate land management technique(s) should be tailored to the site in question, be evidence-led and part of a wider long-term strategy, beyond individual site boundaries, to restore ecosystem health and function.

Caution is needed when interpreting evidence from elsewhere in the world where there may be different fire regimes, habitat and vegetation types, and/or societal and cultural characteristics including current and historic grazing management. Some strategies used in countries with natural fire regimes (e.g. where lightning strikes are a common ignition source for wildfires), where target habitats may be naturally adapted to fire, over thousands of years, may not be appropriate in the UK where most wildfire is caused by humans.

The relevant Defra Minister did not meet any minister responsible for fire in 2025 to discuss the proposed burning regulations.

No Heather and Grass Burning Licences have yet been granted in the 2025-2026 burning season. Whilst a number of the applications we have received have been determined, others are still being processed.

Both Heather and Grass Burning, and wildfire are devolved matters.