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<p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England
only, unless otherwise stated.</p><p> </p><p>Emissions of greenhouse gases from peat
extraction in the UK in 2017, were an estimated 337,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Commercial extraction in England is licenced on approximately 664 hectares of peatland,
across 29 sites.</p><p> </p><p>The National Planning Policy Framework, first published
in 2012, ends the granting of new licences for peat extraction. Therefore, peat extraction
in England will end when the remaining licences come to an end. We are also continuing
to focus on reducing demand for peat in horticulture in England. This not only protects
UK peat bogs, but recognises that two thirds of the peat sold in the UK is imported
from the rest of Europe. In the 25 Year Plan for the Environment we signalled to the
industry that if we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives by 2020,
then we would take further measures. We are discussing what these potential further
measures could look like.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also working with the industry
to make the transition to peat alternatives, and to overcome the barriers to their
use. For example, we are jointly funding research with the industry to overcome barriers
to peat replacement in professional horticulture. We have also worked with the industry
to develop a Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media, which allows manufacturers
and retailers to make informed choices of growing media inputs to amateur/retail products,
based on environmental and social impacts.</p>
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