The use of peat in pot soil and substrate is under pressure level . Fourteen organisation , including the Ministry of Agriculture , Nature and Food Quality , the Action Group TurfVrij , and the Association of Potting Soil and Substrate Manufacturers of the Netherlands ( VPN ) , late agreed on how the peat mental object will be step by step reduced in the descend years . These agreements are laid down in the Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates Covenant . The Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower Bulbs Business Unit of Wageningen University & Research were closely involved in the realization of this covenant , admit by providing data .
Last year , Minister Schouten of the Ministry of Agriculture , Nature and Food Quality ( LNV ) responded to a motion to limit the peat content in potting soil and substrate . As a outcome , LNV , TurfVrij , and VPN start speak to each other . The first consultations took property at WUR in Wageningen , which also ease the meetings and bring home the bacon important data . The conversations were clear , intensive , and enjoyable . The consultation partners recognized the grandness of honorable agreements . After a number of consultation , a professional mediator ( former Member of Parliament Arne Weverling ) was involved , and finish substance abuser and other interested parties were call for .
On 18 November , the Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates covenant could be signed by not only LNV , TurfVrij , and VPN , but also a 12 organizations roam from growers ( from Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to mushroom cloud ) , garden retail , and certifiers . The compact contain agreements for 2025 , 2030 , and 2050 . In 2025 , the professional substratum will comprise of 35 % renewable raw materials ; for consumer products , at least 60 % . The peat used complies 100 % with the RPP requirements ( Responsibly Produced Peat , an independent European credential system ) , and a aggregate of at least 600,000 m3 of compost is used .
In 2030 , potting land for the consumer market place will comprise of at least 85 % renewable in the altogether materials ; separate agreements will be made for professional substrates for different applications ( these agreements will be further rarify in 2023 ) . In 2050 , substrates and potting soils will be climate electroneutral and will consist of at least 90 % renewable sore material .
The agreement correspond a major challenge for potting filth and substrate manufacturers . Renewable raw materials are still insufficiently usable and have a unlike quality and homogeneity than natural peat . That is why the producers will pay a lot of attention to quality pledge and to client support .
The external response to the arrangement has already been very positive : various European experts – let in Germany – have bespeak that they find the agreements very detailed and balanced .
For more information : Wageningen University & Researchwww.wur.nl
