Horticulture sector warns Irish peat supplies running out

Peat industry lobbies the government a year after legal challenge stalled licensing process

There is an ongoing battle between peat producers, who want to restart harvesting operations, and environmentalists who want to ban the practice completely

The Irish horticulture industry is facing the prospect of importing peat due to the year-long suspension of the licensing process.

An industry group has warned that up to 6,000 jobs in the industry are at risk once the current stockpiles of peat run out. The peat is used by producers of mushrooms and strawberries, as well as by garden nurseries and garden landscapers.

The licensing system for peat extraction in bogs of more than 30 ...