A FACT-FINDING mission into the burning issues relating to grouse moor management visited Swaledale recently.

Earl Peel, owner of Grinton Moor, was host for the visit, organised by the Game Conservancy Trust.

Teresa Dent and Dr Stephen Tapper, from the trust, invited Dr Andy Brown, English Nature's chief executive, to see some of England's most productive grouse moors.

In England the majority of grouse moors are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and a major concern among moor owners is that English Nature has classified a significant proportion of SSSIs as being in an unfavourable condition owing to inappropriate heather burning.

The mission was designed to allow Dr Brown to meet owners and head gamekeepers and discuss game management issues, particularly heather burning.

"Gamekeepers have worked hard to maintain the condition of their grouse moors and they are naturally concerned that English Nature has a different view," said Mrs Dent, the trust's chief executive. "Keepers and owners are very proud that their grouse moors support a very high population of other upland birds. Seventy-four per cent of the upland area designated as Special Protection Areas for upland birds, such as golden plover and curlew, is moorland managed for grouse shooting. Both species are of conservation concern."

The two-day visit involved travelling to Spaunton Moor on the North York Moors to meet owner George Winn-Darley and head keeper George Simpson, followed by the visit to Grinton Moor, courtesy of Earl Peel and his head keeper, Des Coates.

Throughout the visit, Dr Brown and his colleague Martyn Howat, regional director for the North of England, were shown key upland areas for breeding waders and met many upland gamekeepers. The visit was supported by the trust's upland biologists Dr David Baines and Dave Newborn.

Mr Tapper said: "While keepers were clearly anxious to burn their moors in a way that retained their conservation status, they have good reason not to let large areas become overgrown as this can often lead to destructive wild fires."

Carefully planned small-scale burning by trained gamekeepers is used to encourage fresh shoots of heather where it has grown old. Light surface burning ensures food for red grouse and sheep and creates a diversity of habitats which birds rely on.

Following the visit, Dr Brown was keen to stress that English Nature was eager to discuss practical solutions to resolving differences with all those involved in upland management.

"I am hugely impressed by the role gamekeepers play in helping to conserve our upland habitats and create conditions which allow large numbers of wading birds such as lapwing and golden plover to thrive," he said. "There remain many difficult issues for us to address with landowners and gamekeepers and, with increased public awareness, I am optimistic these issues can be resolved."

Dr Tapper, director of policy and public affairs with the trust said: "We are delighted that English Nature recognises the vital role game management plays in retaining these Sites of Special Scientific Interest and we hope English Nature and upland gamekeepers can reach a mutually beneficial agreement on heather burning based on scientific evidence."