Skip to main content
Normal View

Horticulture Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Questions (42, 43)

Matt Carthy

Question:

42. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address the ongoing crisis in the horticulture and mushroom sectors due to peat shortages. [50712/21]

View answer

Brendan Smith

Question:

43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in implementing measures to assist the mushroom and horticulture sector due to the serious difficulties that have arisen in sourcing horticultural peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51712/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.

I am acutely aware of the concerns in relation to the licensing of peat extraction which are generating challenges for the horticulture sector.

As the Deputy knows, he Department has no involvement in the regulation of peat extraction. 

Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan T.D., 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, my 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.

Top
Share