Dry weather prompts
muirburn reminder

Dry weather prompts muirburn reminder

Crofters and landowners are being reminded of strict controls placed on muirburn activities and the final deadline of 15th April for these to be carried out legally.

Those working in and visiting the outdoors are aslo being asked to apply extra vigilance and awareness in the face of heightened fire risks from the warm dry weather. The advice from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (RPID) follows reports of a number of incidents of uncontrolled muirburn which have occurred across the Outer Hebrides in recent years.

Under the Muirburn Code the practice of muirburning below 450 metres is strictly controlled and regulated under legislation governing farming, wildlife and countryside, public health, built heritage and safety at work. The practice is permitted only between the 1st October and 15th April inclusive. Any actions which breach these regulations are offences which could lead to prosecution.

Stephen Henry of RPID in Stornoway commented; “The Muirburn Code should not be seen as applying only to grouse moors as its guidance applies equally to the management of all vegetation by fire. It also defines the standard of management expected of crofters, farmers and all moorland managers over their land.”

The code also forms part of the compliance requirements for Single Farm Payments (SFP), charging those in receipt of SFP with maintaining moorland in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition regardless of altitude or type of vegetation. Any breach of the code can result in loss of payments. Landowners and managers are reminded that they can get more information from RPID offices in Stornoway and Balivanich and a copy of the code.

SNH’s Area Manager for the Western Isles, David Maclennan, said: “Moorland throughout the islands provides important and extensive habitat for wildlife at this time of year, especially for ground nesting birds. Any wild fire spreading across this landscape will have devastating effect on many species such as merlin, dunlin and golden plover nesting amongst the heather.