Crop residue burning
There are various regulations controlling the burning of heather, grass and crop residues.
They are;
- The Crop Residues (Burning) Regulations of 1993
- The Heather and Grass (Burning) Regulations of 1986
- The Highways Act of 1980 (as amended in 1986)
- The Clean Air Act of 1993
- The Environmental Protection Act of 1990
- The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
- The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981
These regulations are lengthy and most farmers and landowners are aware of their responsibilities, so the following is just a brief summary;
- burning is only allowed between 1 November and 31 March in lowland areas and 1st October and 15th April in upland areas. At other times, you can get a licence only in very specific circumstances
- you must give not less than one day or more than seven days of written notice to neighbours, owners and occupiers of the land
- you must not start burning between sunset and sunrise
- you must ensure that sufficient people and equipment are on hand to control the fire
- you must take all reasonable precautions to prevent injury or damage to people and animals
- you must follow special arrangements and plan well in advance if burning on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- you must not cause a nuisance through the creation of smoke
- you must not create dark smoke
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