Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the current dependence of the horticultural industry on the availability of peat moss. The High Court decision to strike down the legislation introduced in January 2019 regulating the extraction of peat now means that extraction of peat from bogs greater than 30 ha. requires companies to go through a licensing and planning regime. The more recent decision by Bord na Móna to suspend all peat extraction presents major supply challenges for the horticulture sector.

Following on from the publication of a report on the review of the use of peat moss in the horticulture industry by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, plans to set up a working group to consider impacts on the sector. It is proposed that this working group will represent Departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, State agencies, environmental NGOs and industry stakeholders. This working group will address the key issues raised in the report, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The position of chair of the independent working group that will be formed is currently being advertised and the closing date for receipt of the applications is 23 November. Once the chair is in place, the setting up of the working group members will take place.

At a broader level, the Department provides a support to the horticulture industry through the scheme of investment aid for the development of the horticulture sector. Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.

It is expected that the full budget allocation to the scheme of €6 million for 2020 will be drawn down by the end of the year. A 50% budget increase to €9 million was secured by the Department for 2021, reflecting the importance of the sector. That particular scheme is now open for applications. In addition, my Department administers the EU producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables which allows growers jointly market their production in order to strengthen the position of producers in the marketplace.

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