Peat extraction for animal bedding products must stop now - FIE

Photo: Bord na Móna harvesting peat on the bogs. The semi-state company recently confirmed they have exited the peat bedding market.

An environmental group has called on the government to bring an end to the excavation of raised bogs for peat bedding for animals.

The call from Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) comes days after Bord na Móna confirmed that it has exited the peat bedding market and stopped harvesting peat for this purpose last year. The company only entered the market in 2017.

In a statement to the Offaly Independent, a spokesperson said that harvesting peat for animal bedding was not compatible with the company's Brown to Green strategy adopted in 2018.

“The Bord na Móna Brown to Green strategy has involved the transition away from peat into renewable energy, recycling and other areas that will help Ireland become carbon neutral by 2050. In line with this strategy the company made decisions in 2019 not to pursue the market or harvest peat for animal bedding and to sell off any existing stocks.”

While FIE welcomed the news that Bord na Móna had exited the market, it says that private contractors continue to excavate peat from raised bogs for animal bedding. In a letter to new Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, the FIE called on him to use the powers at his disposal to prevent contractors from carrying out this “blatant abuse” of the environment.

“What applies to the goose applies to the gander’ said FIE’s Tony Lowes, who wrote the letter. “The raised bogs that are being entirely excavated for animal bedding are a blatant abuse - whoever is doing it.

“We urge you now, Minister, to use your influence and powers to help bring to an end this shocking destruction of our vanishing raised bog with all the adverse implications for biodiversity and climate change.”