In advance of tomorrows reported publishing of the governments Peat Strategy by George Eustace, DEFRA Minister, the UK gardening industry appears to be preparing for a peat-less future.

The growing media task force, an industry group consisting of Garden Centre Association (GCA), National Farmers Union (NFU), Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Growing Media Association(GMA) and Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) and coordinated by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), have announced they will publish a plan in the summer outlining how targets that include removing peat from the retail market by 2025 will be achieved.

The key organisations from horticulture have committed to end the sector’s use of peat, pledging to remove it from the retail market as early as 2025 and no later than the end 2028. For professional horticulture, the range is between 2028 and 2030. Inside the existing target date, both are dependent on government support.

The group’s ‘Responsible Sourcing Statement’ released today highlights how these targets are dependent on support from government, the availability of alternatives and a principle of exceptions for certain types of plants. It outlines the importance of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media initiative, which seeks to communicate the environmental impact of all growing media materials. There needs to be full consideration of what the environmental impact of other materials are when peat is removed.

Speaking on behalf of the group as new data also shows the increase in use of alternatives to peat and the percentage of peat contained in growing media continues to fall, Chairman of the HTA, James Barnes, said: "While just 0.04% of the UK’s peatlands are extracted for horticulture, as a ‘green’ industry we recognise the value of peat as a store of carbon and are firmly committed to removing its use from horticulture. Extraction from England’s peatlands has halved since 2011 and to continue this we need reliable sources of quality alternatives in the quantities required to replace peat. Members of the RSS are committed to achieving and finding new and novel materials.

“The detail around how we do all this needs reasoned and proportionate consideration. We need to make sure any change over to new materials are environmentally responsible. The industry’s RSS is fully committed to this and will not introduce materials which potentially have negative environmental impacts. We need an evidenced based approach, working closely with government to ensure there is the essential support to access peat alternatives and enable the industry to make the changes needed to transition away from peat. We must ensure our horticultural industry is enhanced, not damaged and only when these issues are addressed can the necessary change happen.”

This evening the Garden Centre Association (GCA) has issued a statement saying that it is fully supportive of the need to remove peat from amateur horticulture.

Their statement reads: "We support the Growing Media Taskforce statement and will be working alongside our colleagues in its aims.

"There is a need to assist gardeners in making the transition from peat based growing media and we believe this is possible by 2025, subject to the availability of quality peat free composts to meet consumer demand.
 
"We understand the challenge for the manufacturers, which will be to find sufficient quantities of the right materials necessary to replace peat, so that quality growing media is available to everyone.

"Growers will need a level playing field with imported plants and material support from Government will be absolutely vital, in order for both to be achieved. 
 
"Gardening is a force for good in the population’s mental and physical health and, also, for the environment. 

"The more people that are involved in gardening the more they are aware first-hand of the changes happening in the climate and, so, are more likely to respond positively to adjust the way they live."

Pictured above; the Peat Free Growing Media sales area at Country House Group's Windlesham Plant & Home Centre.