The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) has welcomed the publication of the latest ClimateXChange report, 'Transition to Peat-Free Horticulture in Scotland', highlighting the report’s conclusion that the primary barrier to progress is not the availability of alternatives, but the need for greater consistency, coordination, and confidence across the supply chain.
The report reinforces what many across the horticulture industry have been experiencing in practice: peat-free growing is achievable, but success depends on reliable performance, aligned systems, and robust standards.
Steve Harper, Chair of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, said: “This report is an important and timely contribution to the peat-free transition. It confirms that the challenge we face is not whether we can go peat-free, but how we do so in a way that gives growers, retailers and consumers confidence in the outcome.
"At its heart, this is about quality. Without consistent, reliable performance, the transition introduces risk, and that risk slows adoption.”
The report identifies variability in growing media performance, lack of standardisation, and uncertainty around consistency as key barriers to wider uptake. It also highlights the importance of coordinated action across infrastructure, supply chains, and technical growing practices.
In response, the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, working in collaboration with industry partners, is developing a new industry-wide quality standard for growing media.
This standard is designed to provide:
- Clear, consistent benchmarks for growing media performance
- Greater transparency across raw material sourcing and production
- Confidence for growers and retailers in product reliability
- A simple signal for consumers that a product will perform as expected
Steve Harper continued: “The development of a recognised quality standard is a critical step forward. It will help move the conversation beyond ‘peat-free’ as a label, and towards ‘fit for purpose’ as a guarantee.
"By working collaboratively, we are creating a framework that supports the entire industry from manufacturers through to end consumers.”
The RSS emphasised that the transition to peat-free horticulture should be viewed as a system-wide evolution, rather than a simple material substitution. Delivering this successfully will require continued collaboration, investment in trials, and alignment across the supply chain.
The Scheme is encouraging all stakeholders, including growers, manufacturers, retailers and policymakers, to engage with the development of the quality standard and support its adoption as an industry benchmark.
“This is a shared challenge, but also a shared opportunity,” Harper added. “By putting quality at the centre of the transition, we can ensure that peat-free growing delivers not just environmental benefits, but strong, reliable outcomes for the industry and consumers alike.”
