Agri-Business
The latest report into the Irish horticulture sector "completely failed to accomplish" its aims, according to Growing Media Ireland (GMI).
Groups have presented recommendations to an Oireachtas committee to ensure sufficient supply of Irish horticultural peat.
The "severe pressure" that horticulture growers are under was highlighted to deputy Fine Gael leader Minister Simon Coveney last week.
A senator has written to Minister Charlie McConalogue ahead of a meeting of the EU Council of ministers to raise concerns about the horticulture industry.
Kildare Growers called for emergency legislation to allow peat harvesting for horticulture as the war in Ukraine increases pressure.
Agri Politics
An independent TD has called on the government to temporarily suspend the current system of...
Until a viable alternative is found, supplies of horticultural peat need to be protected, according to Senator Regina Doherty
Aontú has called on the government to take action over the peat crisis which the party said is putting the growing season in jeopardy.
Environment
The IPCC does not support the final report on peat use as recommendations go against Ireland's climate change and biodiversity commitments.
GMI has said actions proposed by the government to support horticultural growers "will cause environmental catastrophe and job losses".
Restrictions on harvesting horticultural peat in Ireland, to serve the domestic industry have been branded a "fiasco" by TD Sean Canney
All parties are being called on to support a bill introduced in the Seanad that would allow for the temporary resumption of peat extraction.
A new bill is set to be introduced that will allow temporary peat extraction for horticulture, rather than importing it from abroad.
Minister of State with responsibility for heritage Malcolm Noonan has being told that he 'cannot wish alternatives to peat into being'.
A report has called for peat harvesting for horticulture to resume in the short term, saying that importation "does not make sense".
Rural Life
Jackie Cahill says he has written to the Taoiseach to highlight "pressing concerns" for the future of the horticulture sector.
17,000 jobs in rural Ireland "remain at risk", the group representing horticultural peat producers...
There is no "quick fix" solution to the crisis facing Ireland’s horticultural peat sector,...
Research must be applied to find alternatives to peat for the Irish horticultural industry - but in...
Growers have stressed the urgent need for action to be taken with regard to the harvesting of peat in Ireland on Bord na Móna sites...
Halting peat cutting and importing it for the horticultural sector is "a case of cutting off our environmental noses to spite our face".
The harvesting of peat for horticultural purposes "must resume immediately" due to there being no viable alternative at present, the IFA says.
Jackie Cahill rebuked the decision to shut down peat production in Ireland while importing peat from "the other side of the continent".
