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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 2h

🪲 Beetle-hit moor poses 'massive fire risk'

A beetle infestation which destroyed huge swathes of moorland heather now presents a "massive fire risk", a gamekeeper has said 👇

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Beetle-hit North York Moors pose 'massive fire risk'

The North York Moors are as 'dry as kindling' because of heather beetles, a gamekeeper says.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 5h

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/conserv...

Conservative Frontbench Tables Motion Against Defra’s Burning Ban

The Moorland Association’s campaign to overturn Defra’s winter burning ban gains momentum, with a parliamentary motion, legal action, and growing political pressure.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 5h

🔥 The Conservative frontbench has tabled a motion against Defra’s damaging ban on winter burns - a vital step toward restoring evidence-based policy in our uplands.

The pressure for change is growing.

Read our update - link is in replies 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 21h

📸 Courtesy of Northern Pennines Moorland Group.

A stunning photo captured by one of the keepers on their estate, showing the welcome return of red squirrels to this particular wood, thanks to efforts of local groups like Allen Valleys Red Squirrels and the estate keepers.

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 23h

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/68-wron...

68% Wrong: The Wildlife Trusts’ Wildfire Myth

The Wildlife Trusts wrongly claimed that 68% of upland wildfires are caused by managed burns. The real figure is closer to 5–10%. Here’s why accuracy matters.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 23h

🔥 The Wildlife Trusts told Parliament that 68% of upland wildfires were caused by managed burns. The real figure is closer to 5–10%. Facts matter, especially when shaping wildfire policy and public trust.

Read our latest blog - link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 1d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/how-wil...

How Wildlife Organisations Misled Defra on Moorland Science

Wildlife groups misrepresented Natural England’s evidence on moorland burning, overstating harm and ignoring uncertainty. Our analysis exposes how Defra was misled.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 1d

🔥 How Wildlife Organisations Misled Defra on Moorland Science

Wildlife groups including the RSPB and Wildlife Trust told Defra “the science is clear”, but Natural England’s evidence shows it isn’t.

Our review exposes selective quoting and misleading claims.

Link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 3d

🪶 A major new IUCN report shows bird numbers are plummeting worldwide. But on our managed grouse moors, curlew, golden plover & merlin are thriving, thanks to traditional gamekeeping. Practical stewardship works.

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/a-lesso...

A Lesson from Scotland: Don’t Wait for Disaster to Act

Scotland has paused new burning rules to prevent wildfire risk, England has not. The Moorland Association urges Defra to listen, learn, and act before disaster strikes.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

🔥 Scotland paused its burning rules to get wildfire prevention right. England pressed ahead, ignoring lessons, evidence and warnings.

Defra must follow Scotland’s lead before it’s too late.

Read our latest blog - link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/why-is-...

Why is Mary Creagh Still Repeating a False Claim? Who is Advising Defra Ministers These Days?

Defra claims there’s a “scientific consensus” against managed burning, yet its own research says otherwise. We exposes how misinformation became policy.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

🔥 Defra’s own evidence disproves the claim that repeated burning “permanently alters” peatlands, yet a Minister is still repeating it to MPs.

Accountability and honest science are overdue.

Read our latest blog - link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/scotlan...

Scotland Acts on Wildfire Warnings While Defra Turns Away

Scotland works with land managers to prevent wildfires, Defra blocks them with red tape. A tale of two governments: one pragmatic, the other dangerously detached.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 4d

🔥 Scotland is acting on wildfire warnings - Defra is turning away.

The Scottish Government has delayed new rules on burning to protect lives and landscapes. Meanwhile Defra’s red tape has created a ban by bureaucracy.

Read our latest blog, link is in replies 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 5d

🚒👏 Great teamwork on the Dark Peak!

Estate gamekeepers have been training @wyfrs.bsky.social crews in off-road Argo use, sharing vital skills and local knowledge to tackle moorland wildfires safely and effectively.

Working together protects the uplands. 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 5d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/natural...

Natural England’s Missing Fire Evidence: How Its Report Overlooked the James Hutton Institute’s Key Findings

Natural England’s 2025 evidence review on managed burning ignored key findings from the James Hutton Institute, overlooking vital UK data on wildfire risk and fuel load.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 5d

🔥 Natural England’s “complete” 2025 review on managed burning ignored the James Hutton Institute’s wildfire study, one that proves active management reduces fire danger.

Selective evidence leads to poor policy.

Read more on our blog - link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/protect...

Protecting Lives, Not Just Landscapes - Why the Moorland Association Is Taking Legal Action

The Moorland Association is taking legal action against Defra’s new burning regulations, warning they increase wildfire danger and put rural lives at risk.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

🔥 Wildfire risk is climbing, yet Defra’s new rules triple the land where prescribed burns are banned.

We’ve instructed leading lawyers to challenge this unsafe policy.
It’s about safety, science, and fairness, not politics.

Full story in replies 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/wildfir...

Wildfire In The North York Moors – A Detailed Account

George Winn Darley provides a an up close and personal account of the recent wildfires at Langdale Forest and Fylingdales moor.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

🔥 The North York Moors wildfire scorched 5,000 acres, the worst since 1976. A story of danger, courage, and lessons ignored.

Read how local keepers, farmers and fire crews stopped the blaze from reaching villages, and why poor policy made it worse.

Full story - link is in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/natural...

Natural England’s Selective Memory: The Forgotten ADAS Report

Freedom of Information has revealed Natural England’s forgotten ADAS Report, evidence showing that balanced, well-managed burning protects uplands and heritage.

www.moorlandassociation.org

Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 6d

📄 A buried report. A different story.

FOI evidence shows Natural England still cites the 2011 ADAS study on upland management — but left it out of its public consultation.

The report backed controlled burning, warned against rewilding, and urged balanced management.

Read more - link in comments 👇

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Moorland Association @moorlandassoc.bsky.social · 7d

www.moorlandassociation.org/post/half-th...

Half the Truth: What Natural England Tried to Hide About England’s Past

Natural England’s selective submission to Defra hid key evidence about heritage protection in the uplands, revealing troubling omissions about England’s past.

www.moorlandassociation.org

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