Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
28. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in the research projects he has funded to explore alternatives to peat-based growing media for horticultural production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51688/21]
View answerThe Department is making significant efforts to research peat alternatives. Through the EU producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables, my Department has approved funding for two sustainability research projects, commissioned by Commercial Mushroom Producers Ltd.
The first project is looking at spent mushroom substrate and how this could potentially be used as a peat replacement material within the wider horticulture sector. This project is also focusing on the benefits of spent mushroom substrate as an organic fertiliser and soil conditioner in tillage farming.
The second project is investigating the sustainable replacement of peat in mushroom casing material. These research projects are ongoing.
Furthermore, as part of my Department's research call in 2021, applications to investigate peat alternatives were called for. The call is a competitive process, and all applications compete for funding across a range of project themes. The Research Call sought projects to examine alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production which are available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality, environmental and productivity requirements.
Any research proposals for this call should take account of how peat based growing media are used in each sector (ornamental and amenity horticulture, vegetable sector, fruit sector, mushroom sector), and the unique characteristics demanded by each formulation of growing media in the Irish context. Successful projects under this call will be announced in the coming months.
