Wishart encourages peat consultation participation
Over a third of Scotland’s land area is peatland and is estimated to store around 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon. Degraded or poor peatland can become a net source of carbon emissions.
The Scottish Government is proposing to ban the sale of peat in stages, beginning with the retail horticulture sector, then a general ban. Some exceptions including time-limited exemptions may exist to allow for a transition away from the use of peat.
The consultation opened on the 17th February and will end on Wednesday 12th May.
Ms Wishart said:
“Peat is still cut and used for domestic use in Shetland. Any proposals must ensure that peat for domestic use is not affected and households are not left without heating.
“Views on how these proposals will impact residents are important so I would urge anyone with an interest to complete the consultation.
“Rural and island areas could be impacted by a ban and the Scottish Government needs to be told how this could change island life.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Scottish Government’s Ending the sale of peat in Scotland consultation page can be found here.