A solution to the deepening horticulture industry crisis may be possible before this season’s peat harvest, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has indicated.
Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Department official Brian Lucas confirmed that, after a prolonged period, a chairman has been appointed to a working group that will examine a recent review on the use of peat moss in the horticulture industry.
Dr Munoo Prasad - described as an independent consultant and researcher who has worked for the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Bord na Móna - will head up the grouping of representatives from relevant Government departments, state agencies, environmental non-Government organisations and horticulture industry stakeholders.