Written question asked by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 October 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 4 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what area of peat bogs has been lost to commercial peat extraction in each year since 1997. - Inc table and figures.

Answer: Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what area of peat bogs has been lost to commercial peat extraction in each year since 1997. [188443] Mr Bradshaw Mr. Bradshaw: Peat extraction is measured in cubic metres. The following figures shows peat extraction every year since 1997 and are derived from the British Geological Survey's Minerals Yearbook and the Office of National Statistics: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Peat extraction (thousand cubic metres) 1997 1,619 1998 1,076 1999 1,653 2000 1,626 2001 1,814 2002 973 2003 2,008 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. There is currently planning consent for extraction from 3,990.6 ha of raised peat bog in England, of which 72 ha is lapsed. The existence of planning consent does not mean that all or part of the area is necessarily cut. For example, a recent agreement with Scotts Company (UK) Ltd. in 2001 has meant that 1,886 ha of peatland has come out of peat extraction, although planning consent still remains on part of it.

Secondary information