VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Controlled Burning

Asked by Matt VickersConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 23 December 2025UIN 100702

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the weighted scores given to the academic studies reviewed by Natural England in its paper on the effects of managed burning (NEER155); and if whether she will publish them.

Answered by Mary Creagh

No such assessment has been made by Defra. This is because NEER155 went through rigorous peer review prior to publication, with all external peer reviewers being leading peatland experts at major universities and other expert institutions.

NEER155 is the most comprehensive evidence review available on the effects of managed burning on upland peatlands.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim