RSPB Scotland position on muirburn

Camera Ian Francis

We know that muirburn is a hot topic right now, that’s why we want to make our position clear.

We want to see the Scottish Government more tightly control when and where the practice can take place and put a stop to burning on peatland as part of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill.  

Muirburn is high-risk land management activity which is currently weakly regulated by legislation which is almost 80 years old and the voluntary muirburn code.  

Every year RSPB Scotland receives images from members of the public showing muirburn which breaches the code; this includes burning near areas with nesting birds, through naturally regenerating woodland and on peat which is over 50cm deep.  

Overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that burning on peatlands causes damage to peatland wildlife and peatland soils and landscapes. These peatlands are some of our most important carbon stores. To protect Scotland’s peatlands we think that burning should be restricted on peat over 30cm deep as this is a more widely accepted international standard for peat depth.  

With the nature and climate crisis meaning that many moorland birds are breeding earlier we believe that the end of the muirburn season should be brought forward to the 15 March to limit the chance of disturbance.  

Wildfire is an increasing concern thanks to the climate crisis, and whilst the evidence around the effectiveness of using burning to fight fires is still developing, we understand why the Scottish Government has chosen to allow muirburn as ‘tool in the box’.  However, we maintain that the best way to reduce the risk of fire is through creating landscapes which are more resilient to extreme weather, through the rewetting of peatbogs and native trees.  

We believe it is important that NatureScot and the licensing regime is properly resourced, so that land managers are supported and that the new Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill can deliver for people, nature, climate. 

To find out more you can read our full position statement here:

RSPB Scotland muirburn position statement.pdf