Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he proposes to address the issues raised in the horticultural sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure the industry can be supplied with adequate moss peat to meet the full requirements of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18891/23]

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 multifaceted 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 and suitable sub-30 hectare sites, however a number of recommendations to address the challenge of peat supply during the transitionary period to peat free alternatives were proposed, and these recommendations are being considered across Government.

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 9th November 2022 and are available on www.gov.ie

To support and facilitate research into the development of alternatives to peat for horticultural use, my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project entitled ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. My Department is also funding research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.