Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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798. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effects the continued shortage of peat is having on the mushroom and horticulture sectors; and the measures his Department is implementing to support these sectors. [59552/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives. These targeted actions reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.

My Department commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers and to identify sub-30 hectare sites for the extraction of peat that may be used for domestic horticultural use. The expert was unable to get information on peat supplies due to lack of engagement from stakeholders in the peat extraction and domestic horticulture industry.

My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.

The report and guidance were published on the 9th of November 2022 and are available on: www.gov.ie

To support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. The aim of the project is to identify full and partial replacements for peat within professional horticulture, preferably from materials sourced within Ireland.

My Department is also funding two sustainability research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables. The trials are at semi commercial levels and the outcome of the trials will determine the direction of future support.