Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of peatland loss; and what steps they are taking in response.

England’s peatlands are our largest terrestrial carbon store. They provide a home for rare wildlife, regulate our water supply and provide a record of the past. However, only 13% of our peatlands are in a near-natural state at present.

In May 2021, we published the England Peat Action Plan, which sets out the steps we are taking in response to peat loss: England Peat Action Plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). A copy is attached to this answer.

As part of this, we are funding a research and development project that will map the extent and condition of England’s peatlands in detail. Final outputs of the England Peat Map will be made available in 2024.