Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024

20 Muirburn season

(1) For the purposes of this Part, the muirburn season is the period of time from 15 September in any year to 31 March in the following year.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations, amend the dates in subsection (1) to extend or reduce the muirburn season.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may make regulations under subsection (2) only if they consider it necessary or expedient to do so—

(a) in relation to climate change, or

(b) for the purpose of—

(i) conserving, restoring, enhancing or managing the natural environment,

(ii) preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing harm to people or damage to property.

(4) The power under subsection (2) (by virtue of section 33) to make different provision for different purposes includes in particular power to make different provision for—

(a) different land (for example, land at different altitudes),

(b) different years.

(5) Before making regulations under subsection (2), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) Scottish Natural Heritage, and

(b) such other persons as they consider likely to be interested in or affected by the making of muirburn, including persons involved in the management of land on which muirburn may be made.

(6) Regulations under subsection (2) are subject to the affirmative procedure.