John,

We’ve just found out that some of the UK’s most protected natural sites are still being set on fire, despite a government ban. 

Peatland is the UK’s largest natural carbon store on land, ‘locking in’ an estimated 3.2 billion tonnes of the stuff, as well as being vital habitats for birds, rare insects and plants. [1] But landowners and grouse shooters are intentionally setting fires in these precious parts of our countryside.

Despite the government “banning” this practice, gaping loopholes and weak enforcement mean it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

John, will you call out the government and demand a proper ban on this senseless burning of our natural land?

Last year, the government promised to protect what it called “England’s national rainforests” from grouse moor fires, stating that “there is a consensus that burning of vegetation on blanket bog is damaging to peatland formation and habitat condition” and introducing a partial ban. [2]

But using satellite technology (including NASA’s heat spot technology) we identified hundreds of fires set over the last year on peatlands that are used for grouse shooting. [3]

If this government really thinks our peatland is “England’s national rainforests” that must be protected, then it’s time they matched their words with real action and properly banned the burning of these areas for things like grouse shooting.

Not only did our investigative unit Unearthed spot hundreds of fires using satellite technology, they went to witness it first hand and found that burning has still been happening on areas of deep peat covered by the government’s “ban”.

We’ve done the digging - now it’s time for the government to look at the facts and take action.

Thanks for all you do,

Nick Monro aka Dikson

Greenpeace UK

[1] "Peatlands factsheet", UK Centre for Hydrology and Ecology

[2] "England’s ‘national rainforests’ to be protected by new rules", UK Government

[3] "Satellites reveal widespread burning on England’s protected peatlands, despite government ban", Unearthed

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