On 27th August 2022 the UK government announced that all sales of peat to amateur gardeners in England would be banned by 2024. The press release is here.
The press release states that “Bagged retail growing media accounts for 70% of the peat sold in the UK and is frequently misused, for example being used as a soil improver rather than a medium in which to propagate plants.”
This ban follows an extensive consultation that was held.
A ban for the professional horticulture sector will follow, but is not announced.
Natural England is working with Defra and partners on the ground to restore thousands of hectares of peatland habitats, and the press release states via round two of the Nature for Climate Fund Peatland Restoration Grant, Natural England awarded on 27th August nearly £11 million to six projects to support restoration works on over 7,000 hectares of peatland, adding to more than 8,000 hectares already funded through round one.
The press release states round two of the Restoration Grant has supported a blend of lowland and upland restoration works, with the Somerset Peatland Partnership convening to restore lowland sites in the south-west of England, and the Great North Bog and Moors for the Future partnerships restoring upland sites in the north of England.
Cardinal Environment Limited's Blog 