Written Question · S6W-07187 · Session 6
How much peat has been extracted in Scotland for commercial use in each of the last five years.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how much peat has been extracted in Scotland for commercial use in each of the last five years.
The answer
The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.
Data on UK and export sales of peat sourced from Scotland since 2011 is gathered for the UK Growing Media Monitor ( https://hta.org.uk/associations-committees-groups/growing-media-association/gma-research ) and provides insight into the volumes of peat extracted for horticulture in Scotland up to 2020, the main end use of extracted peat.
The Scottish Government is committed to banning the sale of peat related gardening products, as part of our wider commitment to phase out the use of peat in horticulture, and we are currently preparing to consult on this issue. Our draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out that development proposals for new commercial peat extraction, including extensions to existing sites, should not be supported unless the extracted peat is supporting an industry of national importance to Scotland.
We will also give consideration, through our peatland restoration programme, to whether and what further data may be required to support future monitoring of progress against targets.
Data on UK and export sales of peat sourced from Scotland since 2011 is gathered for the UK Growing Media Monitor ( https://hta.org.uk/associations-committees-groups/growing-media-association/gma-research ) and provides insight into the volumes of peat extracted for horticulture in Scotland up to 2020, the main end use of extracted peat.
The Scottish Government is committed to banning the sale of peat related gardening products, as part of our wider commitment to phase out the use of peat in horticulture, and we are currently preparing to consult on this issue. Our draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out that development proposals for new commercial peat extraction, including extensions to existing sites, should not be supported unless the extracted peat is supporting an industry of national importance to Scotland.
We will also give consideration, through our peatland restoration programme, to whether and what further data may be required to support future monitoring of progress against targets.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-07187 by reference.