Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has again called on the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister of State for Heritage to address, as a matter of urgency, issues affecting the harvesting and supply of peat for the horticulture sector.
“Action is needed to ensure that the horticulture and mushroom sectors have adequate stocks of peat. At present there is no viable alternative to peat for the commercial horticulture sector. A major part of the Irish horticulture industry depends on peat and peat availability is now a major challenge.
A Report was presented to the Heritage Minister from an Independent Working Group at the end of May and it is beyond time for the relevant Departments to act on the recommendations contained in that Report. Producers face serious challenges for their businesses and if there has to be a reliance on importing peat then those extra costs will cause difficulties for many businesses”, stated Brendan Smith T.D.
Below are replies by the Minister for Agriculture to Parliamentary Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann in relation to the harvesting and supply of horticultural peat.
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For Written Answer on : 15/07/2021
Question Number(s): 464 Question Reference(s): 38911/21
Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the measures he will introduce as a matter of urgency to ensure that there is an adequate supply of domestic peat for the mushroom and horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
In relation to peat extraction, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Following the publication of the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry report, I am aware that Minister of State Malcolm Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to include representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders under an independent chairperson to examine the issues identified during the review. In this respect, the working group are addressing the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The independent working group sent an interim report to Minister Noonan at the end of May for his consideration. Minister Noonan and his officials are currently examining the report.
In addition to these developments, DAFM is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently sought further research be conducted here to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production in this area in its latest Research Call for 2021. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements.
DAFM also provides a support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. A 50% budget increase to €9 million has been secured for 2021 reflecting the importance of the sector. This Scheme is 100% funded by the Irish Government.
In addition, the Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables which allows growers jointly market their production in order to strengthen the position of producers in the marketplace
______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 15/07/2021
Question Number(s): 465 Question Reference(s): 38912/21
Department: Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the concerns of the mushroom and horticulture sector in relation to the harvesting of horticultural peat are addressed in view of the importance of peat for that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
In relation to peat extraction, the Department has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Following the publication of the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry report, Minister Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to include representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders under an independent chairperson to examine the issues identified during the review. In this respect, the working group are addressing the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The independent working group the working group sent an interim report to Minister Noonan at the end of May for his consideration. Minister Noonan and his officials are currently examining the report.
In addition to these developments, the Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently sought further research be conducted here to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production in this area in its latest Research Call for 2021. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements.
The Department also provides a support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. A 50% budget increase to €9 million has been secured for 2021 reflecting the importance of the sector. This Scheme is 100% funded by the Irish Government.
In addition, the Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables which allows growers jointly market their production in order to strengthen the position of producers in the marketplace.