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Peatlands: Controlled Burning

Asked by Caroline VoadenLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 3 November 2025UIN 85547

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the threshold is for Natural England to investigate reported burns on deep peat.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Defra takes any allegations of breaches of The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 seriously. With support from Natural England, a desk-based assessment is completed for all reports received. Where an offence cannot be ruled out, these cases are then referred to Defra’s Counter Fraud and Investigations team (CFI).

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