Environment secretary Hilary Benn has called for a complete phase-out of peat from the amateur garden market by 2020.
The new target would mean gardening centres and DIY stores would stop selling peat-based composts for the amateur gardening market within ten years and switch to peat-free alternatives instead.

Mr Benn made the announcement on Monday as the latest part of the Act on CO2 Peat campaign, which targets amateur gardeners who use the majority (around 70%) of the peat used in horticulture.

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the environmental impacts associated with peat and promoting a switch to peat-free alternatives.

Mr Benn said: "The horticultural industry has made progress in reducing peat use over recent years, but given the urgency of reducing our emissions we need to go much further. I know that the proposed 2020 phase-out target for the amateur market will be challenging, but we know this is what we need to do."

He added: "Amateur gardeners are by far the biggest users of peat, using over 2 million cubic metres each year. Our research shows us that gardeners often don't realise the damage that peat extraction causes or that the compost they're buying contains peat. That is why we're launching this campaign today to raise awareness of the damage using peat-based compost can cause and help us as gardeners to choose alternative peat-free compost products."

While the government target of 40% of the total market of soil improvers and growing media to be peat-free by 2005 was exceeded by the industry, the 2010 target of 90% has not yet been met, suggesting new efforts are needed.

Defra says it has been working with the horticultural trade, DIY chains and garden centres to provide information for gardeners on peat-free products and lower peat alternatives at point of sale.

In a recent survey carried out by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), two-thirds of garden owners were unaware of the environmental issues surrounding peat and its extraction for use in compost and growbags.

HTA and its specialist group, the Growing Media Association (GMA), have welcomed the new targets. HTA director general David Gwyther said: "HTA and GMA have worked hard to demonstrate that the UK garden industry is committed to peat reduction over a sensible and realistic timescale as long as there are adequate alternatives available at the right price and quality and with the right environmental benefits."

He added: "Rather than impose stricter measures or impose further legislation Defra have agreed to work with the industry towards achieving peat reduction and we encourage garden retailers to take part in the campaign to assist with this aim."

Retailer B&Q is supportive of the Government's plans. Director of social responsibility Matt Sexton said sales of peat-free compost at B&Q last year were up on 2008, suggesting progress is being made.

He told DIY Week: "We've been making steady steps in recent years to increase our dilution rates and have made it easy and affordable for people to choose peat-free compost for their gardens by offering peat-free alternatives at price parity, so customers aren't penalized for buying an eco-responsible alternative."

He added: "We stopped buying peat from sites of special scientific interest many years ago and have already phased out 100% peat products. Last year we redesigned the packaging on all our compost so people can now clearly see what they are buying as it now shows the percentage peat content."