Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024

22 Interpretation of Part

(1) In this Part—

• “Muirburn Code” is to be construed in accordance with section 18(1) and includes any supplementary material,

• “muirburn licence” has the meaning given in section 14(4),

• “muirburn season” is to be construed in accordance with section 20(1),

• “peat” means soil which has an organic content (that is, content consisting of living and dead plant and animal material) of more than 60%,

• “peatland” means land where the soil has a layer of peat with a thickness of more than 40 centimetres.

(2) In this Part, references to the making of muirburn include references to the setting of fire to, or the burning of, any heath or muir.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations, amend the definition of “peat” and “peatland” in subsection (1).

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (3), 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.

(5) Regulations under subsection (3) are subject to the affirmative procedure.