WILD JUSTICE AND BURNING ISSUES

 WILD JUSTICE 81 BURNING ISSUES; A SETBACK

We had some bad news yesterday - our application for permission for judicial review of the Westminster government's inadequate regulations on limiting burning of vegetation on peatlands has been refused by the Hon Justice Dove. (You can read his decision in full by going to the Wild Justice site)

 

This is a disappointment as the regulations have been widely criticised by environmental campaigners, parliamentarians and the Committee on Climate Change. But, so far, in this case the legal system has not offered much help to the environment. We shall be consulting with our lawyers in the coming days and we shall consider an appeal.

 

Whether or not an appeal is taken, Wild Justice considers the regulations brought in by DEFRA to be inadequate on both nature conservation and climate change grounds.  As the UK hosts the COP26 international climate change meeting in Glasgow, the English authorities have brought in feeble measures as part of their response to the climate change crisis. This may or may not be unlawful but it is still utterly shameful.

 

Thank you to all who have sent over 35,000 emails to UK parliamentarians, calling for uplands that work for people, for the climate and for wildlife  through our e-action. Please have a look and support it if you feel able 

COMMENT FROM ME.

I view this decision as a mere setback in a war that will continue. The ‘legal speak’ is detailed and within the law as it stands is probably correct. That tells me the law and process needs to change. 

The question everyone should be asking is “why is the moorland and valuable peat being set on fire?”

The answer is to encourage the heather to provide green shoots so that the grouse can eat them. No other reason except for a rich man’s fun.