The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling for more Government investment to allow the UK horticulture industry to remain competitive while reducing peat usage.
The call comes as part of a response to the Defra consultation on peat reduction, which outlines targets to phase out peat usage in the amateur market by 2020 and in the professional grower market by 2030.

The HTA says switching to peat alternatives is more expensive, and it would therefore be appropriate for the Government to help subsidise growers to reduce peat. It calls for more government investment in researching and developing peat alternatives, and also wants a European consensus on peat reduction to create a level playing field.

Key concerns raised in the consultation response include a weakness in environmental rationale presented for reducing the horticultural use of peat, and insufficient recognition of the progress made to date.

So far, growing media manufacturers have invested £100m in researching, developing and bringing to market alternative products.

HTA director of business development Tim Briercliffe said: "The last decade has seen significant progress in the reduction of peat use within the horticulture industry. However, the industry has borne the cost of peat reduction thus far and cannot achieve unilateral UK targets without commensurate financial and technical support from the UK Government."

He added: "With this in mind we call on the Government and other stakeholders to continue the joint approach to tackle the challenges highlighted if the sector is to further reduce peat usage. There is no real market demand for such a change and unless the cost, quality and availability of peat alternatives are resolved, the UK horticultural industry will cease to be competitive and will be swamped by competition from Europe where there are no constraints on the use of peat."

The HTA consultation response can be viewed on the HTA website at www.the-hta.org.uk.