Peat-free legislation is essential to end uncertainty and confusion – Inside track

This post is by Trewin Restorick, founder of the sustainability consultancy Sizzle.

Despite repeated government promises to end the sale of peat for horticulture, the necessary legislation has still not appeared. This continued delay is creating confusion for consumers, stalling investment and unfairly penalising the businesses that have already moved ahead. It demonstrates that when government fails to follow through on commitments, uncertainty grows and progress slows even where a transition has clearly been shown to be achievable.

Government worries are out of step with reality
Backtracking by the last government appears to have been driven by fears of a backlash from gardeners and concerns about harm to the horticultural sector. But these worries are increasingly out of step with reality and amplified by a vocal minority rather than the sector as a whole.

To challenge this narrative, Sizzle Innovation has brought together growers, manufacturers, retailers, NGOs and experts through the Enrich the Earth partnership. Their shared message is clear: a transition away from peat is not only feasible, it can strengthen the horticultural sector but only if the government provides legislative certainty.

This needs parliamentary time soon
That is why recent commitments in the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan are welcome. Both reaffirm the government’s intention to introduce a ban on peat sales. However, these commitments depend on securing parliamentary time, the same obstacle that derailed previous attempts. If the government is serious about delivering its carbon budgets and giving the sector the confidence it needs to invest and innovate, legislation must come soon.

The upcoming King’s Speech this spring offers a crucial opportunity. Committing to introducing legislation at this point would send a clear signal to the market and provide the certainty that many across UK horticulture have been calling for.

But a ban alone is not enough. Done well, it should be the catalyst for a broader transformation: building a circular, soil-positive system that improves resilience, supports UK growers and delivers lasting environmental benefits.

To realise that opportunity, the sector needs:

1. Policies that unlock the value of the UK’s ‘mountain of biowaste’, turning it into millions of tonnes of high quality compost and fertiliser.

2. A level playing field for UK growers and manufacturers, including protection from imported plants grown in peat.

3. Targeted R&D funding and knowledge support to help businesses adapt with confidence.

4. Robust, trusted quality standards for peat-free products, particularly for amateur gardeners.

5. Clear advice and guidance to help people grow successfully without peat.

These priorities align closely with the government’s Circular Economy Growth Plan and the Enrich the Earth partnership will continue to champion the environmental and economic opportunities that smarter policy making can unlock.

Over the coming months, this will include developing consistent, accessible information to help gardeners choose and use peat-free compost successfully. Standardised materials are already in use across UK garden centres, supported by consumer research and a growing coalition of manufacturers, retailers, trade bodies and NGOs. This work will be strengthened through a new partnership with Newcastle University.

We will provide real world case studies demonstrating how businesses have transitioned successfully, challenging the myth that peat-free growing is not economically viable. And we’ll bring manufacturers together to show the government that sustainable, cost effective alternatives to peat are already available at scale.

We will seek funding for a new quality mark for peat-free composts, giving gardeners confidence and addressing concerns about inconsistent product performance. And we will expand the Enrich the Earth coalition, improving collaboration and ensuring the government has access to robust evidence to support better decision making.

The Enrich the Earth partnership is convened by Sizzle, a Community Interest Company dedicated to bringing diverse organisations together to create long term environmental and social solutions. If you are interested in joining this free initiative, please contact [email protected].