Hit pause on flawed rollout, urges BASC 

Rural organisations are calling on the Scottish government to pause the implementation of the proposed muirburn licensing scheme until the 2026-27 season.

The Scottish government intends to enforce the licensing regime from 15 September 2025, which would coincide with the start of the 2025-26 muirburn season. However, BASC has warned that pushing ahead with the scheme in its current state risks creating confusion, eroding trust and undermining efforts to manage Scotland’s uplands.

The Muirburn Code – the set of rules to which all those practising muirburn should adhere – is still under active consultation by NatureScot. As a result, practitioners across the country are voicing deep concern over the practicality and workability of the proposals. BASC has argued that further clarity is required before a rollout of the licensing scheme is possible.

The recent surge in wildfires across Scotland (News, 16 April) compounds this issue and highlights the importance of controlled burning as a land management tool. Introducing licensing at this point without clarity, consensus or readiness could be seen as reckless.

BASC says it has been engaging robustly in the consultation process to ensure that its “members’ voices are not only heard but heeded”.

Among the most pressing issues affecting the credible implementation of the licensing scheme are the ambiguous guidance on peatland depth measurement; the unclear distinction between legal obligations and best practice; and overly prescriptive restrictions on burning on slopes.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: “The Scottish government must now take the responsible course of action: hit pause on this flawed rollout and commit to a timeline that ensures due diligence, stakeholder confidence and regulatory clarity.

“Scotland’s uplands deserve nothing less,” he added.

Katrina Candy, director of the Heather Trust, told Shooting Times: “While we are in agreement that muirburn should be carried out in a safe and sustainable manner, with due regard to specific conditions, we have concerns over the readiness of the licensing scheme.

“Among them is the accuracy of the peat maps to determine burn and non-burn areas; the accessibility of the online licensing process for users; and the emphasis on alternative vegetation control methods such as cutting or rewetting that we feel may not provide like-for-like results. We will continue to work with NatureScot and other stakeholders in this process to find a practicable way forward.”