Ms Louise Byrne:

I visited CMP with my colleagues. I saw the trials in progress in a growing tunnel. We can ask CMP if it would be willing to facilitate a visit to the trials. There are other players also involved in trials. An invitation has been extended to go and visit that research. I have not gone out just yet but my colleagues, as part of their work in verifying compliance under PO regulations, are required to examine the actions under the operational programme, including the research actions. We have reports on that. I have also asked the principals to provide us with information on the trials. I am happy to follow up and seek to arrange for the committee to see the trials in action. The industry has committed to transitioning to peat-free alternatives. They are fully committed. This is the transitionary period. It is in their interest to ensure that any of these trials work and are sustainable and that it is not just a blip that the yield is fine for one flush and not for the next. They are fully committed to ensuring that the outcomes from these trials are successful.