What support will be provided for tree and plant growers to trial and develop new peat-free growing media mixes.

We have consulted on ending the sale of peat in Scotland as per the commitment made in our 2021-22 Programme for Government. We received over 550 responses to the consultation, which are providing valuable insights as to the transitional needs of growers. We are actively collaborating with the horticulture industry to facilitate the transition, with a crucial aspect being the allocation of sufficient time for the industry to identify alternative growing media and methods. It is important to recognise that there is no direct replacement for peat, and growers must proactively adapt to meet their individual needs.
We work closely with the horticulture industry and with research providers to commission and support a number of research projects that will assist transition away from peat. These include:a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Alternatives to Horticultural Peat in Scotland (2019, link );an evaluation of alternative growing media for the production of healthy potato mini-tubers (2020, link );an analysis of the barriers and Opportunities for Peat Growing Media Supply (2022, link );identifying the plant health risks associated with plant waste disposal and peat-free growing media and developing best practice guidance for waste disposal and composting across sectors (2023, link ).