§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has(a) to re-convene the Peat Working Group and (b) to engage the United Kingdom gardening industry in helping the Government to meet its target of 90 per cent. of growing media and soil improvers to be peat free by 2010. [162234]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Department held a seminar involving all stakeholders on 30 April 2003 to examine the current and future development and use of environmentally friendly growing media and how this should be taken forward in the light of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets. The seminar's conclusions included establishment of a new Forum to replace the Peat Working Group to assist us in taking an informed view on the achievability of the 90 per cent. peat free target during the next review of the UK Biodiversity Action plan targets due in 2005.
Work on the composition of the new Forum and arrangements for the first meeting have regrettably been delayed. We hope to convene the new Forum as soon as resources and priorities allow. In establishing the new Forum we will seek representation from all the stakeholders including the gardening industry.