Government approach on peat needs fundamental re-think

Defra’s proposals on the use of peat could seriously damage the sustainability of the UK’s grower businesses, the NFU said today.

The Government consultation proposes to phase out peat’s use in professional horticulture, a sector worth £2.5billion a year to the economy, by 2030.

The NFU believes the consultation is confused and misleading, and says the evidence on which proposed future policy is based is weak or anecdotal, and used in a seriously flawed, selective and misleading way.

The NFU considers the appropriate way to tackle the issue is for industry to establish a time-limited task force to develop a clear strategy for the future sustainable use of peat in horticulture.

NFU horticultural adviser Dr Chris Hartfield said: "If this is a genuine consultation, then Government must be prepared to review all aspects of it, including the rationale. If the rationale for a future policy approach fails to stand up to scrutiny, that future approach is clearly destined to fail.

"If Defra fails to learn lessons from the past and continues to create policy in this area that lacks a transparent and sound evidence base, the NFU will have to recommend to its grower members that they should not engage in a voluntary approach by Government to reduce peat use."

The NFU’s preferred option of setting up a task force, to be fully supported by the Government, would include representatives from across the entire horticultural supply chain - from peat extractors to end consumers and be based on sound science and evidence. It would focus on developing and increasing the use of sustainable alternatives to further reduce the amount of peat used, tackling biodiversity issues, and taking carbon emissions into account.