Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Horticultural Peat

Thursday 1 February 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to legislating for a ban on the sale of peat for amateur gardening as soon as parliamentary time allows.
  • The Government work closely with industry to explore ways to transition to peat-free products and fund research on alternatives.
  • The Department has increased sustainable farming incentive payments for peatland restoration projects.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Loughton Con
Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to end the use of peat in horticulture, as signalled by the government in 2020.

Question

When will the Department bring forward legislative proposals to ban the sale of horticultural peat?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

This Government are committed to legislating for a ban on the sale of peat for use in amateur gardening as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, we continue to work with industry to explore ways to transition completely to peat-free products.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific timeline or date for when legislation will be introduced.

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Q2 Tim Loughton Con
Climate Environment
Context

The question addresses the urgent need for legislation to ban peat use in horticulture, supported by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Question

Given that UK peatlands store 3 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than all forests in the UK, France and Germany combined, why has there been no primary legislation yet despite previous proposals? The RHS is committed to being peat-free but needs urgent legislative support.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

This Government are committed to ending the use of peat in horticulture and will legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows. We work closely with those who want peat-free mediums, including funding research on alternative products. Peat use has halved since 2020.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific timeline for when the legislation will be introduced.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Peatlands in Northern Ireland are crucial for water absorption, habitat improvement, and carbon storage.

Question

With the potential restart of the Northern Ireland Assembly, will discussions be held with the DAERA Minister to ensure collaboration on improving peatland conditions?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Peatlands are important habitats, and we work closely on restoration projects. We have increased sustainable farming incentive payments to over £900 a hectare for re-wetting peat.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not confirm specific discussions with the DAERA Minister.

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Q4 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Parliamentary Procedure Environment
Context

The question addresses the urgency for legislation to ban horticultural peat sales, which was expected in the King's Speech but not included.

Question

Given the Government's intentions on peatland and industry support, why is there no parliamentary time allocated for this urgent policy? We were expecting legislation in the King's Speech.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are committed to banning the use of peat when parliamentary time allows. We work on projects for peatland restoration and farmer transition to new crops, with increased sustainable farming incentive payments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific timeline or clarify why legislation is delayed.

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