On 13 October , HTA convene a group meeting of its members to brief them and discuss the sustained HTA interlocking on the Defra plans to end the sale of peat for unpaid exercise .
Further to the submission of its audience response in March , HTA has sustained a campaign of engagement and coordinated key grouping , such as the Growing Media Taskforce , to deliver bring together - up and clear messages on sector need .
In recent week and months , HTA Chairman , James Barnes , has met then Secretary of State for the Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , Rt Hon George Eustice MP , as well as other Environment Ministers and lead officials . The full HTA squad has met a identification number of MPs and members of the House of Lords across a breadth of political party , and in anticipation of a Scottish Government audience on the future of peat use , met representative in Edinburgh and also had dialogue with the Welsh Government . Just this week , new Environment Minister , Trudy Harrison MP , has cited Defra ’s airless work with HTA on peat in response to written parliamentary question .
HTA and its members have been powerfully represented at recent Defra - lead workshops , talk over what , when , and how a ban would be introduced , admit details around the need for freedom where there are no alternatives or a long passage time may be required . HTA has used all opportunities to conjure with insurance policy - Godhead the pregnant progress made by the industry to reduce its peat use without a legislative mechanism . Alongside employment on the forbiddance , HTA welcome the new opportunities to exercise with the politics on supporting the changeover from peat function , for good example , by addressing regulative barriers to alternatives .
HTA essay to reassure its members its latest apprehension is that it is the politics ’s aim to introduce legislation to end the trade in peat from 2024 , which is target at bagged maturate media containing peat for consumer use . Exemptions would be in property for professionally grown plants and products well beyond that escort - and likely beyond the 2028 particular date - although their duration and details are not confirm . HTA will sustain its constructive , proactive interlocking to represent its members ' opinion in the coming weeks as and when any proposal goes through Parliament , as well as reinforcement members with information and clarity once available .
HTA also remind its members of its ' How - to ' guides and advice on shrink peat use , and these can be observe in the members ' area of its site along with its technical knowledge exchange work with growers .
