News

Report points the way to a bright future for UK moorland

4th August 2004

A new report*, commissioned by the Countryside Alliance, has shown how CAP reform could be the opportunity for moorland regeneration and a new pattern of sustainable farming across the UK. In England, the new integrated agency under the Rural Strategy could be the catalyst for a more “joined up” moorland strategy.

The key areas highlighted for policy development in the report are:

• A pressing need to prevent further loss of heather by reducing grazing pressure and encouraging uses which help it to regenerate
• CAP reform must be implemented wisely to achieve the optimum balance between livestock grazing and other viable uses. Undergrazing could be become prevalent on moorlands giving rise to a new set of problems.
• A skilled local labour base is vital to ensuring careful management of moorlands, and to maintain viable communities. The relatively small number of experienced farmers and keepers, upon whom practical management depends, must be looked after.
• Sustainable moorland use requires some degree of external funding, whether private funding or public subsidy. The right balance is needed to ensure “best value” to the taxpayer.
• Traditional grouse moor management “scores” well across the range of sustainability criteria, and could be the economic driver for re-expansion of heather moorland, while providing many other public benefits with minimal subsidy.

Alliance Chief Executive, Simon Hart, said: “The UK’s heather moorlands, a precious national environmental asset almost unique in the world, have been in decline for the last 50 years and are facing a raft of change and challenge. Moorlands are not wilderness areas, but have been shaped by man over many centuries. The survival of the distinctive and picturesque moorland landscape we know today will continue to depend on man’s intervention and maintenance.

“The report highlights the opportunity for CAP reform to restructure the farming sector and bring about sustainable heather regeneration. In many areas grouse shooting has the potential to drive this regeneration and expansion of heather moorland”.

Ends…

Notes to Editors:

A summary of the report, carried out by GFA RACE and the Macaulay Institute, is attached. The full report is available from the Press Office.

For more information contact the Press Office on 020 7840 9220
or 07775 938792