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Horticulture Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (1102)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which the horticultural sector can rely on an adequate supply of moss peat for the future given that such activity is largely carbon neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/21]

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Written answers

In relation to peat extraction, my Department has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.  

Regarding the future use of peat moss in the horticulture sector, on 7th September 2020, my colleague Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published a report on the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The review report was prepared by an inter-agency working group following on from the submissions from stakeholders.

After the publication of this report, Minister Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to include representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders under an independent chairperson to examine the issues identified during the review. In this respect the working group will address the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The position of Chair for the Independent Working Group was advertised and the closing date for receipt of the applications was 23rd November 2020. Once the Chair is in place, membership of the working group can be established.

In addition to these developments, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently sought further research be conducted here to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production in this area in its latest Research Call for 2021. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements.

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