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Written question asked by Lord Teverson (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 2 May 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 May 2019. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 May 2019 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Peat

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress towards their voluntary targets for the phasing out of the use of peat from compost and horticulture for (1) 2020, and (2) 2030.

Answer

We are working with the industry to put in place a replacement for our previous monitoring of peat use in growing media, which last reported in 2016.

The 2016 report showed that peat use in 1) the amateur sector (2020 target) was down 21% in 2015 compared to 2011, and 2) the professional grower sector (2030 target) was down 26% since 2011. Nevertheless, whilst progress had been made in reducing peat use, it appears to be stalling.

We stated in the 25 Year Plan for the Environment that if by 2020 we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives, we will look at introducing further measures. We have been discussing how we should judge what constitutes “sufficient movement” away from peat use and what potential further measures could look like. These discussions are ongoing.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15523
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Compost Horticulture Standards Peat
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk