Scottish Greens secure muirburn ban during lockdown
The practice of burning moorland to prepare for recreational grouse shooting has been banned in Scotland during the coronavirus lockdown.
The move comes after landowners continued the practice despite warnings from emergency services and being told to stop by Scottish Land and Estates on March 25. In England, one fire got out of control and spread into a one-mile long fire-front, leading to concerns over the pressure this practice can place on the emergency services.
Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman successfully included a legislative ban in emergency coronavirus laws passed in the Scottish Parliament.
Commenting, Andy Wightman said: “I’m pleased MSPs passed this sensible measure. It is absurd that while the country is told to stay at home reckless landowners proceeded to inflict environmental damage on their land in the expectation that a privileged few will still be able to go and shoot birds for a hobby.
“There cannot be business as usual for the lairds and lockdown for the rest of us. They must now cease damaging the hills and putting further pressure on our emergency services.”