Sale of peat to beginner gardeners to be banned in England

The sale of peat and peat-containing merchandise to beginner gardeners in England will probably be banned in 2024, the federal government has introduced right now (Saturday, August 27).

The dates and exemptions for a ban on merchandise produced by the skilled sector, together with vegetation, will probably be mentioned with the skilled sector in September.

The federal government has additionally pledged to proceed to work carefully with the skilled horticulture sector on rushing up its transition to peat-free options forward of a ban for the skilled horticulture sector, recognising that the skilled horticulture sector faces further technical boundaries that can take longer to beat.

This measure follows an intensive session in England and Wales, which obtained greater than 5,000 responses with over 95% in favour of presidency taking motion to ban retail peat gross sales.

It additionally contributes to the goal of restoring 35,000ha of peatlands by 2025.

The federal government can be launching a brand new £5 million fund to advertise the usage of peatlands for sustainable farming. It’ll help the uptake of paludiculture – the follow of farming on rewetted peatland – which can assist, additional safeguard meals safety, produce options to horticultural peat and cut back environmental impacts.

“This authorities understands the significance of conserving peat wholesome and within the floor, right here and world wide – to lock up carbon, strengthen drought resilience and function a robust nature-based answer to local weather change,” Setting Minister Richard Benyon mentioned.

“The actions introduced right now mark a brand new chapter within the story of our iconic peatlands – safeguarding their long-term well being and vitality as a part of our commitments to realize Web Zero and ship our 25 Yr Setting Plan.”

“This ban on the sale of peat-based compost and work to section out use in different areas is a necessary step towards defending these precious pure property and permitting for the restoration of degraded areas,” added chair of Pure England Tony Juniper.

Pure England has additionally right now awarded practically £11 million to 6 tasks to help restoration works on over 7,000ha of peatland via spherical two of the Nature for Local weather Fund Peatland Restoration Grant.

“We’re working with Defra [the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] and companions on the bottom to revive 1000’s of hectares of peatland habitats, and right now have awarded over £11 million to revive lowland websites within the southwest of England, and upland websites within the north of England,” added Juniper.

“These tasks could have a number of advantages, holding carbon, serving to a few of our scarcest wildlife to get well, cut back flood danger and render landscapes extra resilient to local weather change impacts corresponding to drought and fireplace.”