§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to meet the aim published in the UK Biodiversity Habitat Action Plan for Lowland Raised Bogs, of achieving 90 per cent. replacement of the total market requirement for peat with alternatives by 2010. [130681]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe preliminary target in the Lowland Raised Bogs Action Plan is for 40 per cent. of the total market requirement for soil conditioners and growing media to be met by peat alternatives by 2005. The plan also indicates the promotion of research and development of sustainable alternatives to peat to speed up reduction of peat used in both amateur and professional markets, with the longer-term aim of 90 per cent. peat-free by 2010. We are closely monitoring the UK markets for peat and alternatives. In 1998, peat alternatives accounted for 32 per cent. of the total market. The provisional results for 1999, which will be published later this year, indicate continued progress towards the published target.
We wish to maintain a competitive UK horticultural industry, and the quality of products available to the amateur gardener, and recognise that unless the sustainable alternatives are acceptable to the consumer they will not be taken up. The report of the Peat Working Group, published in November 1999, identified possible courses of action to increase further the use of alternatives in the longer term, including the dilution of peat based products, and the development of quality standards for growing media. We are now looking at means of taking these ideas forward.