Impact Assessment

Abstract

The UK currently uses 3 million cubic metres of peat per annum for horticulture. 69% of this is used by amateur gardeners (predominantly as multi-purpose compost and 'grow bags') and 30% is used by professional growers. As peat is effectively a non renewable resource, the extraction of peat for horticulture is unsustainable, also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and the destruction of rare habitats and archaeology. These external costs of peat are not reflected in the costs of extraction or the market price, and Government intervention is needed to facilitate the shift to peat-free alternatives. Progress has been made in reducing peat use in response to a previous voluntary target (for 90% of the total market to be peat free in 2010), but the market is still only 57.5% peat free.