Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what evidential basis she has reduced the timeframe for tree and plant growers to test peat-free growing media before a ban becomes law.

We formally consulted in December 2021 on ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England, proposing an end date of 2028 for professional use. This consultation built on a voluntary target to end professional peat use by 2030 that was set in 2011. From the consultation process it is evident that many businesses have switched to peat free or have made commitments to be peat free well in advance of 2030. Having considered written responses and wider stakeholder engagement we have confirmed a proposed end date of 2030 alongside limited restrictions after the end of 2026.

The restrictions will be designed to continue to allow continued peat use in those parts of the sector where the switch to peat free is particularly difficult and we will work to ensure that they strike the right balance between protecting our natural environment whilst ensuring that we continue to be able to grow the food we eat and the plants we enjoy.