MUIRBURN NEWS RELEASE

Details CHANGES TO MUIRBURN PRACTICE The Muirburn season starts on 1st October 2011 but this year there have been some changes to the Muirburn legislation that all those involved with Muirburn need to be aware of. The Wildlife & Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011(W&NE Act) introduced some important changes to the Muirburn legislation. In summary the changes are:   . the removal of the ability to burn in May above 450 m (1,500 feet); . the introduction of a licensing system to allow burning out of season for specific purposes (see below);   . changes to the neighbour notification requirements; and . a broadening of the purposes for which Scottish Ministers may vary the dates of the Muirburn season. The Muirburn season is now the same everywhere: it starts on 1st October and ends on 15th April, but it can be extended to 30th April with the permission of the landowner. The changes to the legislation have been incorporated into a revised version of the Muirburn Code - which everyone involved in Muirburn should be aware of. The Code can be downloaded from the Scottish Government's website at : www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/355582/0120117.pdf and https://files.me.com/simon.thorp/f60ln8 Out of Season Licence Details are available from Scottish Natural Heritage at: www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/species-licensing/muirburn-licensing/.