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

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the agreement noted in the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Communiqué, published on 5 February, to use a joined-up approach to take forward legislation to ban the use of peat in horticulture, whether that joint legislation would include Northern Ireland; and what plans they have to prioritise the introduction of legislation to end peat sales.

This Government is committed to protecting our nature-rich habitats, including peat bogs. As part of this, the Government has pledged to legislate for a ban on the sale of peat and peat-containing products when Parliamentary time allows. This commitment is reflected in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

Peat protection policy in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter. Defra Ministers have responded recently, agreeing to representations from Devolved Governments to work collaboratively and adopt a UK-wide approach.