The government’s “inaction” to resolve peat supply issues for the horticulture sector, especially for the mushroom sector, has been described as “scandalous” by one TD.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy said that peat is currently being imported into Ireland for these sectors, while the harvesting of peat is not permitted here.
Carthy, a TD for Cavan-Monaghan, was speaking after visiting a farm and a mushroom producer in Co. Monaghan this week. “I was very pleased to welcome members of the Oireachtas agriculture committee to Co. Monaghan and particularly for the committee to see a vital economic sector in this region.”
“For a number of years I have been highlighting the existential threat that is faced by the sector due to the inability to harvest peat in this state. We accept that the use of peat must be phased-out but we also know from several government commissioned reports that this will take time,” Carthy said.
Read more at agriland.ie