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Working together to speed up peat reduction
Garden retailers and growing media manufacturers are being encouraged to join up
to the Growing Media Initiative (GMI), an HTA initiated scheme to speed up the
process of peat reduction within the garden industry. The scheme will assist all
garden retail businesses keen to demonstrate their environmental credentials.
Developed in conjunction with the Growing Media Association, DIY, supermarket and
garden centre retailers, DEFRA, the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society the
scheme seeks to help the horticultural industry reduce peat usage in the UK and
work towards the challenging target set within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1997) of 90 percent peat reduction by 2010.
The first tranch of members who have joined the scheme will undergo their first audit
in March, undertaken by an independent inspector. Scheme members will be required to complete an annual action plan including defined targets for peat reduction over the next 5 years.
Tim Briercliffe, Director of Business Development at the HTA and GMI Scheme Manager, said It was through the combined efforts of suppliers, growers and retailers that the UK horticultural industry met the 2005 target for peat reduction. The creation of the Growing Media Initiative illustrates how the different sectors of the garden industry are taking the issues surrounding peat reduction seriously and working together towards further peat reductions.
The scheme will initially focus on bagged growing media and soil improver/mulch products.
For further information about joining the scheme and the different levels of membership see:-
www.growingmediainitiative.org.uk
Alternatively, please call Alison Smith at the HTA. Tel: 0118 930 3132. Email:
info@the-hta.org.uk
The GMI logo features an inhabitant of lowland peat bog the White Faced Darter dragonfly.
Contacts
Gill Ormrod or Angela Bean
HTA Press OfficeTel: 0118 930 3132
Growing Media Association
The scope of the Growing Media Association (GMA) encompasses the development, production, marketing and sale of growing media and soil improvers in the UK and Ireland, both finished product and substrate ingredients. The GMA is an HTA specialist group. The HTA provides administrative and executive support, PR and lobbying on behalf of the GMA.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK
gardening industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers.
The HTA was founded in 1899. Its key roles include: the management of the National Garden Gift Voucher scheme; provision of advice-based services such as business improvement schemes, briefings and help lines; training for members; a central buying service; marketing services such as the Garden Industry Monitor and the Plantforlife promotion initiative; and working closely with government to influence policy and projects.
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