Second reading on the prohibition of sale on peat delayed

The first reading on the prohibition of sale on Peat was heard in parliament on 16 April. MP Theresa Villiers used a ten-minute rule bill to call for a ban on the horticultural uses of Peat by the end of 2024. The bill concluded and was voted a success by the MPs in the room. This doesn’t mean that this ban will become law, only that it will be heard and discussed again in a hearing which is scheduled to be on the 17 May. This second reading has now been delayed to the 7 June 2024 so that there is more time to consider the draft before it is published.

In the case, Villiers claimed that:

"There are now reasonably priced peat free compost using materials such as bark, coir, and bracken. Solid digestate from anaerobic digestion will soon become another source of peat free growing media. 87% of peatland areas are damaged – caused from overgrazing, drainage for agriculture and extraction for compost and other growing media in horticulture."

Christopher Chope MP opposed this call from Villiers, saying: 

"I think much of the content of this bill seems to be disproportionate, not based on science or fact and another exercise in gesture politics. The move to peat free products has resulted in the quality of those products declining significantly. They do not have the natural water retention that is provided by peat and cannot be substituted."

The bill concluded and was voted a success by the MPs in the room. This doesn’t mean that this ban will become law, only that it will be heard and discussed again in a hearing which is scheduled to be on the 17 of May.

This second reading has now been delayed to 7 June 2024 so that there is more time to consider the draft before it is published.

Implementation timeline

Defra had initially aimed for a ban on peat use for professionals by 2030, but has recently changed this to 2026. Updated timeframes for the ban on peat are:

• End of 2024: Ban of bagged peat in compost to amateur gardeners
• 2026: ban on the professional use of peat with limited exemptions, with specific exemptions to be confirmed
• 2030: ban on all uses of peat for horticulture   

With the delay on the second hearing, it is unlikely the ban will come into effect by the end of 2024, despite the Bill.

Conclusion

The Association recognises that the use of peat in horticulture is complex and has varying impacts on our members and the industry. We welcome balanced and fair engagement from the Government and await the second hearing on 7 June.

In the meantime, the association welcomes members to contact us and share their views with us. Please get in touch at contact@bali.org.uk.