Peatlands hold double the carbon of the world’s forests, and scientists, gardeners and campaigners want a ban on peat sales
More than a third of all compost sold in the UK in 2021 was peat dug from carbon-rich habitats, new data has revealed.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which opposes a ban on peat sales, provided the figures in its response to a government consultation. The consultation proposes banning peat compost sales to gardeners by 2024 and ministers have said they aim to end sales to professional growers by 2028. An earlier voluntary goal of ending retail sales by 2020 failed.