NFU's Andrew Cross talks about plans to ban peat in commercial horticulture

In this week's Word on the Ground, the NFU's Andrew Cross writes about plans to ban the use of peat - and the vital exemptions needed...

Defra has announced its intention of a complete ban on the use of peat in commercial horticulture by 2030, with a period of exemption required by professional growers from 2026.

This news follows announcements that a ban on retail peat will become effective in 2024.

The industry has been making good progress towards removing peat from the supply chain, but we are aware many members will not be able to be peat free by 2026.

It is vital that appropriate exemptions are available to growers and do not restrict production where alternatives are not available or viable.

It is also critical that any measures required of UK growers are applied to imports in order to ensure a level playing field is maintained.

Growers collectively acknowledge the need to reduce peat.

There are however challenges and unintended consequences to consider, such as having alternative materials available at scale and ensuring a level playing field with imports.

Rather than a ban, we have maintained that a more effective solution is for government to support growers to find sustainable alternatives through funding and research and development.

A fundamental ask from all growers is to allow for sufficient time to adapt, supported by the government in unblocking policy barriers to accessing a variety of sustainable alternative materials, grant funding for infrastructure, equipment, and R&D into finding new materials.

As an industry we must also, of course, be mindful that we are not exporting our carbon footprint by shifting to equally unsustainable alternatives.

The NFU will continue to work with Defra and within the industry Growing Media Taskforce to represent the best interests of UK growers.