Written questions

Peatlands: Controlled Burning

Commons · Question 19995 · Tabled 28 Aug 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 4 Sep 2026

Question

Asked by Sir Julian Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department provides to officials conducting inspections of land subject to allegations of unauthorised heather burning; and how many cases in the last two years have

Answer

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, 4 Sep 2026

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 ...