Hopes new bill will 'inject common sense' into peat harvesting restrictions

It’s hoped a new bill will “inject common sense” into restrictions on harvesting horticultural peat.

Senator Robbie Gallagher brought the Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill to the floor of the Seanad today, in response to the sector being forced to import peat from abroad.

A Supreme Court ruling last year essentially halted all large-scale peat harvesting in Ireland, which left the horticulture sector facing supply shortages.

Monaghan is a significant user of horticultural peat, given the large number of mushroom growers in the county.

The Bill will allow peat to be extracted from Irish bogs for use in the horticulture sector until a sustainable alternative can be introduced.

Robbie Gallagher says it’s a small but significant move.