Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has warned that horticulture growers could be seriously impacted by the closure of the Bord na Móna plants in the Midlands.

Growers rely on peat harvested by the plants to grow their crops and Cahill outlined his concerns in a parliamentary question, asking if the Government were installing necessary supports for the sector.

The horticulture sector is tiny compared to other farm sectors in Ireland and is vulnerable to fluctuations in the market.

Horticulture

In response, the Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary said his Department was already working on a cross-departmental group evaluating the use of peat in commercial horticulture.

“Future options around the role and use of peat in the horticulture sector are currently under discussion in the working group,” Calleary said.

“Indeed, in relation to the question posed, my Department is funding research projects examining the scope for peat reduction and peat alternatives through one of the Producer Organisations operating in the fruit and vegetable sector.”

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Growers rely on peat harvested by the plants for growing their crops.