Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021
314. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the findings of the working group established by his Department to examine the peat supply issue to the horticultural sector in the wake of the peat harvesting cessation on Bord na Móna bogs; the way in which he plans to deal with this issue in the short-term to protect those involved in the horticultural trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51483/21]
View answer315. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will introduce as a matter of urgency to ensure that there is an adequate supply of domestic peat for the mushroom and horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51484/21]
View answer316. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that the concerns of the mushroom and horticulture sector in relation to the harvesting of horticultural peat are addressed in view of the importance of peat for that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51486/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 315 and 316 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no involvement in the regulation of peat extraction. Nevertheless, I am very well aware of the concerns in relation to the licensing of peat extraction which are generating challenges (volume and price) for the horticulture sector.
Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, established a working group, which includes a representative from my Department, to address the key issues raised in a Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. A final report from this working group is expected imminently.
Separately, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. Furthermore, the Department’s Research Call for 2021 included a call for further research on alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production.
Given the Department’s areas of responsibility and recognising the importance of the horticulture sector to the economy, my Department continues to provide sustained and significant support to the sector through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector.
Additionally, fruit and vegetable growers who are members of recognised Producer Organisations (POs) can access EU funding up to 50% of the eligible costs of approved Operational Programmes through the EU’s PO scheme.
I continue to engage directly with the sector, most recently meeting with the mushroom industry on the issues they face. Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, has ongoing engagement directly with the horticulture sector, and has responsibility for the sector, including in her capacity as co-chair of the Horticulture Industry Forum, across a range of issues, including peat use.
