§ 22. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, with a view to preventing the destruction of birds and bird nests, the Government will take steps to stop illegal late burning of heather and grass moorland.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Heather and Grass Burning (England and Wales) Regulations 1983 already penalise illegal burning with a fine of up to £200. These statutory controls have now been reinforced by the production of a heather and grass burning code and a summary leaflet on good burning practice, publication of which my right hon. Friend announced in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Morrison) on 2 May 1984. The code and leaflet emphasise the dangers to wildlife of irresponsible burning and together are intended to make a major impact on the encouragement of good burning practice.