Response to horticultural peat ban

Andy Jasper, Head of Gardens and Parklands at the National Trust, said:

“This is very welcome news. For too long, the world’s precious, climate-fighting peatlands have been eroded, so we are pleased to see Government taking action to ban the sale of peat for amateur gardeners.

“Peat is of far greater use to society in our uplands, bogs and fens – where it stores vast amounts of carbon, nurtures wildlife, preserves archaeology and acts as a flood defence – than it is in bags of compost. And the National Trust is proof that even the most beautiful and difficult plants and gardens can flourish without it, having been eradicating peat from our processes for over 30 years.

“But there is more work to be done and Government now needs to address the commercial use of peat. We’re calling for a clear timeframe and a commitment to work with the wider horticulture sector to reduce dependency, promote innovate alternatives, and speed up the shift to a successful peat-free industry.”