A NEW study believes UK moorlands could have a bright new future if the Government implements CAP reform wisely.

The Countryside Alliance believes it gives Defra the opportunity to introduce a "joined up" moorland strategy in England for the first time. It does not believe the impact of wider policies, such as upland farming, conservation and public access on moorland, has previously been taken into account.

The UK has 75pc of the world's open heather moorland but 20-40pc is in poor condition. In addition, more than 20pc was lost in the second half of the last century, largely through sheep grazing and conifer planting.

The North of England, where grouse shooting is still a major land use, has the smallest amount of damaged moorland.

The CA believes the moorland fringe has an important role in the re-expansion of heather. "This should be a priority and the techniques for achieving it are known and in place," it said.

Reduced grazing was vital in some areas, but it was just as important to prevent undergrazing which would only give rise to new problems.

The report believes there are opportunities for farmers to attract a market premium for semi-organic "heather-bred" meat.

Healthy and expanded moorlands would safeguard and create jobs and the relatively small number of skilled farmers and gamekeepers and their management skills must be supported and helped to stay.

The report says most of the existing public benefits - landscape, biodiversity, access and water catchment - are byproducts of viable enterprises such as grouse shooting, at little cost to the taxpayer.

"Traditional grouse moor management scores well across the range of sustainability criteria and could be the economic driver for re-expansion of heather moorland while providing other public benefits with minimal public subsidy," it says.

The report claims grouse shooting contributes £20-£25m a year to the gross domestic product of the UK and provides 1,250 full-time jobs. In Scotland, 40pc of grouse moor income is export based.

Importantly, grouse-shooting's economic contribution goes directly into some of the remotest areas, maintaining employment where there are few alternatives.

The CA accepts that public access to moors will increase and believes they can sustain a wide range of activities, given "proper planning among all the stakeholders as part of an integrated strategy".

Simon Hart, CA chief executive, said: "Moorlands are not wilderness areas but have been shaped by man over many centuries. The survival of the distinctive and picturesque moorland landscape we know today will continue to depend on man's intervention and maintenance.

"The report highlights the opportunity for CAP reform to restructure the farming sector and bring about sustainable heather regeneration. In many areas, grouse shooting has the potential to drive this regeneration and expansion of heather moorland."

* Copies of Options for the Sustainable Land Use of Heather Moorlands and Moorland Fringe in the United Kingdom are available from The Countryside Alliance, The Old Town Hall, 367 Kennington Road, London, telephone 0207 840 9200.