There are only 10 days left for you to make your submission to the DEFRA consultation that could result in the biggest government intervention in gardening and garden retailing we have ever seen.
At the HTA orgainsed "Town Hall" events last week we were advised that numbers of submissions do count, so now really is the time for all individuals involved in garden retailing to make sure their views are included in the consultation.
To make your submission go to: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/soils-and-peatlands/endingtheretailsaleofpeatinhorticulture/
It takes about half an hour to complete the survey and you'll be asked about your views on:
- A voluntary approach to ending the use of peat in Amateur Horticulture
- Mandatory reporting of the volume of peat sold
- Banning the sale of peat
- A point of sale bag charge for the purchase of any growing media bag containing peat
Once completed you then receive a copy of your submission.
At the HTA event last week, The Growing Media Association said it would be working on key facts, such as the carbon footprints of different types of compost by this summer. As this vital information will not be available for this DEFRA cosultation it is important that as many views are heard in the meantime, that's where you come in.
As well as completing the survey as part of the consultation we are being urged to write to our MP's to make them aware of the situation.
The HTA have more information available at: hta.org.uk/peatinfo
By banning peat, using poor substitutes ( yet to find a good replacement) we will reduce the potential to produce millions of plants which will reduce the carbon footprints and aid the environment in the future.
From a growing perspective plants actually like growing in peat compost and some in peat alone.