Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

On 17 January, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published a working paper that set out a series of actions to support the horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium. Progress has been made on the implementation of the actions in that working paper. A guidance document on the regulatory framework for peat extraction was published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. That guide can be found via www.gov.ie. My Department has recruited an independent expert to work with growers and suppliers, including Bord na Móna, to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers. This expert will also work with Bord na Móna and other suppliers and growers to ascertain whether any hobby or other peat on Bord na Móna's estate would be of interest or value to growers. Such peat might be suitable for mixing to produce a growing medium of value to growers. This work is under way.

To address the issue of access to peat in the medium term, my Department has recruited planning experts to provide focused regulatory guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 ha bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This work will build on the expert guidance published recently by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the NPWS on engaging with the regulatory systems that apply to the extraction of peat. It will be important for extractors to engage fully with the regulatory process.

My Department is also looking towards the future and will continue to support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture through my Department's research calls and through the EU producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables. The announcement of €1.69 million in funding late last year for research into peat alternatives is a significant step in assisting the horticulture sector to transition from peat to sustainable alternatives.

Last week, along with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, I met members of the horticulture industry forum and I assured them that I am fully committed to supporting Irish growers.

I am acutely aware of the difficulties with the supply of peat and the broader issues currently facing the sector.

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