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Peat-free Garden Campaign Report 2002 Launched

For release 24 September 2002

A report just released by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council calls on
moss peat producers to develop and market a wider range of peat-free
composts, such as bark mulch, coconut fibre and compost manures, to cut down
on the use of peat in gardens. Moss peat is mined from raised bogs, the
most threatened peatland in Ireland. Over 90% of this habitat has been lost
to conservation.

The 108 page report documents the progress made over the past 6 months in
kicking the peat habit in Irish gardens. The report also calls on garden
centres to sell more peat-free composts; on Local Authorities to encourage
more households to make their own compost from their organic waste and on
Government agencies to ensure that moss peat extraction no raised bogs of
conservation value is halted.
The campaign co-ordinator, Noreen McLoughlin says "IPCC are very concerned
about the future of All Saint's Bog in Co. Offaly, which is an EU Special
Area of Conservation (SAC) that is currently being mined for moss peat".

The Peat-free Garden Campaign report contains information concerning the
extraction of moss peat in Ireland; the attitudes of various garden interest
groups regarding peat-free composts and the availability of peat-free garden
products in Ireland. It also makes recommendations for actions that will
increase the use, quality and availability of peat-free composts.

The main findings and achievements of this campaign documented in the report
are:
* Eighteen commercial peat-free garden products are now available in
Ireland, ranging from soil improvers to composts and mulches. These can
fulfil every gardening need.
* Composting amongst Irish households is on the increase as people become
increasingly aware of the environmental benefits of making home compost.
Compost bins can be purchased from your Local Authority.
* Peat could be phased out completely in state owned Irish properties and
gardens open to the public if these groups would switch to using coconut
fibre and leaf mould to germinate seeds and propagate cuttings.
* Irish peat producers are under increasing pressure, primarily due to the
public's demand for peat-free products in the UK, to research and develop a
range of environmentally friendly peat-free composts, soil improvers and
mulches.
* Government policy in the UK has stipulated that by 2011 peat will no
longer be a constituent in gardening products. Prior to that, there will be
a phased withdrawal of peat from these product groups.

Copies of the report in CD format can be purchased for Euro 100 from the
IPCC, 119 Capel St, Dublin 1. For further information contact Noreen
McLoughlin on (01) 8722397.

ENDS
____________________________________
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel & Fax +353-1-8722397
Tel +353-1-8722384
e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web: www.ipcc.ie

Action for Bogs & Wildlife