Officials from the Department of Agriculture , Food and the Marine and the Department of Enterprise , Climate and Communications addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture today on the impact of peat shortages on the horticulture industry .
The Departments put forward no workable solution during the get together . The members propose that the three relevant Ministers address the commission next week . IFA wants this meeting to take spot as presently as potential .
During the merging , it was proposed that the importation of peat would be part of the short - term solution . This is deeply hypocritical in the circumstance of the Climate Action policy . IFA President Tim Cullinan said , " The three Ministers need to get together and sort this out . We necessitate political leadership here . We are sick of everyone blame everyone while small growers and substantial businesses who bring home the bacon a lot of work are being put out of business by our Government . It ’s a full parody , ” he enunciate .
“ Last calendar week growers built a exhibit outside the National Convention Centre with the message , ‘ No Peat , No Produce ’ . The Irish Government is destroying the Irish horticulture sphere it so glorify in its program for Government . ”
ruinous situationIFA think that the relevant Ministers ( Horticulture , Environment , and Housing ) and the Government do not appreciate the ruinous situation face the horticultural diligence due to the ban on peat harvesting in Ireland .
“ The industry would care lucidness on this peat blood as it was not clarified during the JOC meeting . If it is stockpiled peat , it will not be suitable for case for the mushroom-shaped cloud diligence as the mushroom cloud industry requires fresh peat as a component of case . This is not a solution of any continuance . Without an immediate resumption of peat harvesting , the sector will not have peat uncommitted for next season . ”
“ Without immediate Government intercession to countenance the harvesting of peat , the Irish horticultural sector faces wipeout . The Ministers in charge here have to step in to save the sphere . The situation is now beyond serious , ” said Tim Cullinan .
“ As a major section of the Irish gardening sphere relies on peat , particularly the mushroom-shaped cloud and ornamental sector , this policy will have withering event . manufacturer will either have to close down their stage business or import peat , which will make some byplay unviable because of the special price , ” he said .
In terminal figure of peat accessibility , this highly specialized industry now finds itself at a critical juncture . If the Government does not instantly take legal action , growers will not have sufficient peat strain for the backend of the year . There is no viable option to peat at the moment . “ As it stand , we will be forced to import peat from Europe and the Baltic , which is at odds with the fleeceable credentials of the horticultural sphere . ”
The domain of peatland required to append the Irish horticultural industry is just over 1/10thof 1 % ( .12 % ) of Ireland ’s total area of peatlands . A shortfall of peat on the European market , with growers having their orders turn down , is compounding the issue further .
The Minister convened a Consultation Group to begin with this twelvemonth to notice a workable resolution for the industry . The grouping has met seven times and bring on a comprehensive document outlining practicable result . This document was completed in May . However , the political political party have yet to agree on it .
