Government peat consultation – please respond!

 The government is consulting (yet again!) on ending peat sales, the previous voluntary approach having completely failed.  The reason for another consultation appears to be the claim that there is not enough volume of the alternatives.

The government consultation asks 27 questions and closes on the 18^th March.  Paul de Zylva, of National FoE has produced a briefing document detailing the background behind the consultation and suggested answers to the 27 questions for people to use. 

As well as Paul’s document we should be considering using a levy on peat sales to fund more green waste recycling locally, including removing the disincentive that is charging for green bin emptying. There is a real opportunity for more proactive local green waste handling that would address what appears to be the primary concern of insufficient peat replacement volume.  Also we need to highlight the continued commercial extraction of peat for burning, as per this example and this one, which is particularly frustrating given the availability of alternatives - this needs banning now, if we are in a climate emergency.

Responding to the government consultation requires a considerable effort so the Wildlife Trusts have provided a simplified way for people to respond to the consultation.

The government consultation mentions the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, a useful website where peat alternatives for different uses can be searched and filtered, a must for any eco-conscious gardener that doesn’t have their own compost heap.  For each peat alternative listed there is a rating on the environmental impact of its production.  Whilst this looks to be a work in progress it is a step in the right direction.

To keep in touch with peat campaigning don’t forget to be part of Leicester is no place for peat, on Facebook and when buying compost please check the small print for where it is sourced from.