Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Martin Haydon said Ireland’s transition away from peat “will take time” and that Ireland had “made good progress in researching and developing peat alternatives”.
Minister Haydon made the comments at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council today (27 April).
“Peat is and will continue to be an important growing substrate for horticulture,” he said.
The Minister added: “In Ireland, about 60% of the value of Irish horticulture depends on peat as a growing medium.
“But there is recognition from the sector that it must shift away from using peat as a growing medium.”
“The transition away from peat will take time, and in Ireland we have made good progress in researching and developing alternatives to peat,” Minister Haydon said.
“However, time will be needed to produce a suitable and consistent alternative to peat. The need to ensure a just transition must go hand in hand with developing suitable alternatives,” he added.
Charts
and, most recently, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan Illustrated diagrams available To provide support to those affected by restrictions on cutting grass on protected sites.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane asked the Minister whether his department was considering a new phase of support for existing applicants to the grass cutting compensation scheme, “according to correspondence issued to applicants”.
Minister O’Sullivan responded: “The Grass Cutting Compensation Scheme was established following engagement with stakeholders in 2011 in relation to active native grass cutters resulting from restrictions on grass cutting in 53 upland marsh Special Conservation Areas (SAC) and was extended in 2014 to include 36 upland Natural Heritage Areas (NHA).”
The Minister noted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service “is presenting further plans to support the conservation of these sites and local community groups.”
These include the Conservation Incentive Scheme for Restoration of Raised Bogs, which he described as a “one-off area-based financial incentive and a voluntary land purchase scheme that enables conservation of protected peatlands”.
Germany
Two weeks ago (April 14), the European Commission approved A 1.3 billion euros German state aid plan To rehydrate cultivated peatlands.
The scheme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing carbon storage in peatlands.
According to the commission, the draining of peatlands in Germany, which are currently used for agriculture and forestry, is responsible for 7% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
“With this scheme, the German government aims to prevent further decomposition of the peat body and, where possible, restore peat soils as natural carbon sinks,” the committee said.
