International Actions
*** Peat extraction does take place in previously undrained areas! ***
An in-depth investigative journalistic study reveals what the peat lobby furiously denies: Peat bogs are freshly drained for peat extraction. The fairy tale that the peat used in gardening and horticulture only comes from previously drained agricultural land with little to no ecological value is impressively falsified.
See here the German original article and our English translation.
What happened internationally
England is leading the way in banning peat. A voluntary phasing-out scheme was introduced in 2011, aimed at phasing out peat until 2020. As with many voluntary schemes, it has given the market some push, but not enough. That is why the government has imposed a peat ban for private customers from 2024, the professional market will follow later.LINK)
More countries have introduced peat reduction strategies: Norway, Ireland, Flanders (Belgium) and Germany (see Hirschler study, p.8). Switzerland is currently the strictest country, aiming at a peat ban for the private and professional markets (LINK).
*** The largest ever conference on peatlands calls for an end to peat extraction worldwide ***
Power to the Peatlands conference in Antwerp: 500 delegates discussed how peatlands can be protected. More than a hundred organisations signed the final declaration. Check out our press release the official document and Philipp´s presentation.
