The licensing of muirburn was brought in, controversially, under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill but the commencement of the new scheme was delayed following the devastating wildfire witnessed this summer at Dava.
That blaze, which broke all previous wildfire records in Scotland, led to a pause as Government sought to review whether the approach set by the legislation struck the right balance between permitting controlled burning under licence by trained individuals to mitigate wildfire whilst also protecting peatlands.
Responding on Wednesday to amendments to the Natural Environment Bill tabled by Beatrice Wishart MSP, which would have made muirburn licensing more workable whilst still retaining the scheme's ‘architecture’ and oversight, the Minister requested that Beatrice Wishart withdraw the amendments and, instead, work with him and NatureScot on next steps.
Review
Mr Fairlie disclosed that NatureScot’s review of the evidence would be available early in the New Year, paving the way for any potential changes to be included at Stage 3 of the Bill.
Describing that review of the peatland aspects of the licensing scheme as a ‘significant move’ by Scottish Government, he said the science would ‘ensure any changes we bring forward strike the right balance and don’t undermine the effectiveness of the licensing scheme and the protections that it offers to peatlands.’
Mr Fairlie also revealed that the Government was preparing a Strategic Wildfire Action Plan for Scotland which would set in place expectations and measures for greater national resilience.
The SGA has made the case persistently, alongside industry fellows, that the balance which the Minister referred to as ‘tricky’ has not been met by the Parliament’s approach.
The SGA will continue to engage with Scottish Government to help achieve the balance that will help to protect peatlands from wildfire whilst also retaining the skills and knowledge of trained gamekeepers who can be of pivotal importance to national resilience.
Just yesterday, survey work by the SGA (working with Scotland's regional moorland groups) which has been seen by all MSPs, showed that game estates can provide between £5m and £10m of wildfire equipment and trained people when it comes to tackling major fires, see: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/latest-news/2024/2025-12-09-scotland-could-lose-millions-in-wildfire-defence.php
