Links are provided to information published by other bodies that meets the MMBP objectives of providing information of relevance to practitioners.

A short introduction to the topic is included to provide context to the linked information.

Information on the following topics is provided:

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected ticks and is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States and 65,000 people a year in Europe.  It is the most common disease spread by sheep ticks to humans, but not the only one.

The Wild Deer Best Practice website has some useful guidance: Lyme disease

Health and Safety

The risk assessment approach to health and safety will be familiar to all practitioners.  The Wild Deer Best Practice website has some guidance that may help practitioners check their current procedures: Health & Safety

Wildfire

The Natural Hazards Partnership, established in 2011, provides information, research and analysis on natural hazards for governments and the responder community across the UK.

The NHP guidance on Wildfire covers some useful issues from a Met Office perspective that practitioners might find useful.

Some further MMBP guidance about wildfire is under consideration.

Wildfire Risk Assessment

The Uplands Management Group (UMG) is providing similar practitioner-focussed guidance as MMBP for the English uplands.

In the wake of the 2018-19 wildfire season, the UMG published guidance about a risk assessment approach to planning and preparing for wildfire. This includes a range of templates to guide practitioners through to the development of a Wildfire Management Plan and a Wildfire response Plan.

Practitioners are encourage to adapt the approach and the templates for their needs. More information.

Sphagnum Moss

The Uplands Management Group (UMG) is providing similar practitioner-focussed guidance as MMBP for the English uplands.

The UMG was invited by Defra’s Upland Stakeholder Forum to provide some guidance about the management of Sphagnum moss, one of the main peat-forming plants.  A Task & Finish Group was formed to investigate and report on examples of the range of techniques being used in England to regenerate the cover of Sphagnum mosses on deep peat.

Practitioners that have a peatland interest, may find this guidance of interest – Sphagnum.

Veterinary Medicines

The Uplands Management Group (UMG) has published details of the veterinary medicines in common use on the North York Moors. These details will have relevance over much of the UK uplands, but note should be taken of the caveats at the beginning of the document.

The summary of medicines in use for the control of sheep ticks is of particular relevance. More information

Grassland Management for Waders

The Working for Waders Initiative has developed guidance to help land managers manage grassland to benefit wading birds. This information will have some relevance to moorlands and uplands managers but there is an intention to provide something more specific in due course.

For more information go to the Working for Waders website.

Bracken Control

The Bracken Control Group coordinates bracken control activity in the UK, and since 2012, it has been submitting the annual application to maintain the availability of Asulam, the main chemical control agent.

Asulam will be available during 2020 but use will be subject to more stringent restrictions.

This guidance provides more information