Developing Business In The Garden Industry
Garden industry moves forward on peat reduction
The HTA and its specialist group, The Growing Media Association (GMA) welcome the Government announcement of new targets to achieve peat reduction.
Environment Minister Hilary Benn today announced a new target for bagged amateur growing media to be peat-free by 2020. He also announced a consumer awareness campaign, under the Act on CO2 banner, to promote the purchase of peat-free growing media. He has also agreed not to set a specific peat use reduction target for plant producers at this stage, accepting that there are a number of barriers to be overcome before a realistic target can be agreed. This area will be the subject of a consultation in the second half of 2010.
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Director General David Gwyther said, “The HTA and the GMA have been in dialogue with Defra over the Government’s target of 90% peat reduction by 2010 for several years, with more intensive activity over the last 12 months including a number of meetings with Ministers on the subject. HTA and GMA have worked hard to demonstrate that the UK garden industry is committed to peat reduction over a sensible and realistic timescale as long as there are adequate alternatives available at the right price and quality and with the right environmental benefits.”
He adds, “Rather than impose stricter measures or impose further legislation Defra have agreed to work with the industry towards achieving peat reduction and we encourage garden retailers to take part in the campaign to assist with this aim.”
The GMA are also launching their peat position statement today. Martin Breddy, Chair of the GMA comments, “The UK horticultural industry has made great progress over the last ten years with regard to reducing the amount of peat in bagged products. The Growing Media Initiative, the cross-industry representative scheme developed by the HTA and supported by Defra, has made great progress in helping retailers and manufacturers put in place peat reduction plans and will continue to do so. In excess of £100 million has been spent by the industry on research and in the development of new and different alternative substrates that meet the requirements of UK gardeners.”
The Government run Act on CO2 campaign, which launches today (8th March), aims to encourage consumers to choose peat-free compost to lower their carbon footprint and help to preserve peatland habitats and wildlife. Where peat-free is not available consumers are urged to look for products with low peat content.
Defra want to work in partnership with garden retailers to communicate the campaign messages to the gardening public.
For further information about the point of sale materials see www.direct.gov.uk/buyingcompost.
To view the Pos Material and the GMA position statement visit the campaign page on the HTA website www.the-hta.org.uk/act-on-co2
Growing Media Association www.growingmedia.co.uk
Growing Media Initiative www.growingmediainitiative.org.uk
Contacts
Gill Ormrod or Angela Bean
HTA Press Office
Tel: 0118 930 3132
Email: press.office@the-hta.org.uk
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers.
The HTA was founded in 1899. Its key roles include: provision of advice-based services such as business improvement schemes, briefings and help lines; training for members; a central buying service; marketing services such as National Garden Gift Vouchers, the Garden Industry Monitor and the PlantforLife promotion initiative; and working closely with government to influence policy and projects.
The scope of the Growing Media Association (GMA) encompasses the development, production, marketing and sale of growing media and soil improvers in the UK and Ireland, both finished product and substrate ingredients. The GMA is an HTA specialist group. The HTA provides administrative and executive support, PR and lobbying on behalf of the GMA.
Last updated: 08/03/2010 14:42