Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 106306

Peatlands

Tabled: 16 January 2026
Answered: 23 January 2026

Question

Sammy Wilson

Democratic Unionist PartyEast Antrim

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of unmanaged vegetation fuel loads on upland peatland and the severity of wildfires.

Answer

Mary Creagh
Healthy peatlands do not require active vegetation management such as burning or cutting. There is clear scientific evidence that burning is particularly damaging, as it degrades peatland conditions, undermines restoration and increases long-term vulnerab...

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 106306) →