BASC cautiously welcomes further delay to Scottish muirburn licensing rollout

BASC has cautiously welcomed today’s announcement by Scotland’s Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, that the implementation of muirburn licensing in Scotland will be delayed once again. 

The licensing scheme was originally due to come into force in September this year and was previously postponed until January next year. The new start date is now set for autumn 2026.

BASC, alongside other rural stakeholders, had raised concerns about the readiness of the proposed system, highlighting significant practical challenges for land managers and practitioners.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark welcomed the announcement but said substantial work still needed to be done to make it workable for members, such as gamekeepers.

Peter Clark said: “BASC Scotland lobbied the Scottish Government to delay the implementation date of muirburn licensing until next year because of concerns raised by members. While we welcome this delay, and it represents progress, the fact remains that the legislation makes the licensing scheme impractical and unworkable.

“BASC is now urging the Scottish Government to amend the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, to remove the provisions which place other forms of vegetation control ahead of muirburn.

“Lessons have to be learned after the spate of serious wildfires this year, and BASC will continue to lobby Scottish Government to ensure further changes are made.”

BASC has actively engaged throughout the consultation process to ensure that the views of its members are heard and acted upon. The organisation continues to call for practical, workable legislation that balances biodiversity, wildfire prevention, and sustainable land management.

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