Heather Burning Season Ends

Heather burning must not be carried out during the “closed period” of 15 April to 31 August.

Under the Game Preservation Act it is illegal to burn heather, gorse or fern during this “closed period”.

Burning during the “closed period” could also have implications for those claiming Single Farm Payment as it is one of the cross compliance requirements and could put your payment at risk.

The reason that burning is prohibited during the “closed period” is to protect damage to sensitive vegetation on the moorland habitats. The heather provides a home for many birds, from ground nesting birds such as the curlew, snipe and skylark which need open moorland, to the grouse which needs taller heather to conceal their nests as well as providing a source of food for birds of prey such as the hen harrier. It is also home to mammals such as the Irish hare, badgers, stoat and otter.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) offer payment for positive management of heather moorland as part of its agri-environment schemes, the Countryside Management Scheme and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme. For advice on heather moorland management please contact your local DARD Countryside Management staff.