THE stewardship of Ilkley Moor got official backing last Friday from the Government's Conservation Minister, Ben Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw wanted to see moorland conservation at first hand after visiting the County Land and Business Association (CLA) Game Fair at Harewood House near Leeds.

The Minister said he came to support the excellent work being done by the managers of Britain's only publicly-owned grouse moor.

Most of Ilkley Moor is owned by Bradford Council and it is managed as a traditional grouse moor except that shooting is not allowed.

"I have no problem with shooting but shooting is not essential for good management of grouse moor," said Mr Bradshaw.

According to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Ilkley Moor highlights some of the challenges facing farmers and English Nature.

These include safeguarding its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest while ensuring that farmers who help maintain its diverse wildlife interest through a combination of grazing, burning and bracken control still achieve a sustainable income.

According to the Minister, heather moor is rarer in the world than tropical rain forest and one of the biggest problems facing it was the proliferation of bracken.

He said: "Britain is home to 75 per cent of the world's remaining heather moorland, which in turn supports a diversity of animal and bird species.

"There is a key balance to be struck between how these upland areas are managed so that they provide a sustainable living for the farmers and land managers who maintain this landscape and the bio-diversity it supports.

"The challenge is to find a solution which achieves this balance and that allows the British public and our overseas visitors to enjoy the benefits of the countryside without harming it.

"It is clear that the work being undertaken by the CLA and the Moorland Association, in partnership with DEFRA and English Nature have put firm foundations in place which will be developed as each region puts in its plans to deliver the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food."

Mr Bradshaw, the MP for Exeter, said that he had enjoyed his first visit to Ilkley.

"I was very impressed with what I have seen - they are all doing a great job," said the Minister.

l RIGHT: Conservation Minister Ben Bradshaw (left) makes a point to Bradford Environment Chief Coun Anne Hawkesworth and Sir Martin Doughty, chairman of English Nature, below the Cow and Calf Rocks.

Picture by RICHARD LEACH

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