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Growers, NGOs, environmentalists and the public stand together urging the government to act to stop the destruction of peatlands
More than 16,700 people have signed a petition calling on the UK Government to put an end to peat sales. A huge thank you to everyone who added their voice – including growers, environmentalists, supporters, NGOs and many more.
The destruction of peatlands destroys wildlife, impacts water quality and releases carbon into the air – and it’s got to stop. That’s why we were at Downing Street, as part of the Peat-free Partnership on Wednesday 25 February, calling for legislation.
Petitioners were also joined by a Bog Creature, showing Londoners how important it is to protect peatlands and the species that live there!
We have hand delivered a petition to the Prime Minister’s doorstep calling for legislation to end peat sales to be introduced in 2026.
Until legislation is in place, peatlands will continue to be destroyed. Around 760,000 cubic metres of peat are used by the horticultural industry every year – enough to fill more than 300 Olympic sized swimming pools.
In October 2025, the UK Government announced plans to end peat sales in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. This was a positive step forward; we need to ensure this is put into law.
Alongside our partners in the Peat-free Partnership, we’re calling on the government to commit to a date and introduce legislation in 2026.
The petition is not only one of the largest public calls for peat legislation, but also a demonstration of environmentalists, growers and businesses coming together.
With the Peat-free Partnership, we were joined by the Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Horticultural Society, organic veg box supplier Riverford, Professor Dave Goulson from Sussex University and horticulture organisation Garden Organic.
And you can’t forget…the Bog Creature. Heads turned in London as an eye-catching representation of peatlands emerged from its natural home, highlighting the devastating impact of commercial peat extraction.
Vast quantities of peat from bogs in the UK, Ireland and the Baltic states are used every year in horticulture – causing damage to wildlife, the climate and nature recovery.
A ban on all commercial trade in peat is needed to provide:
Read more here.
We want to say thank you to everyone who has already given their voice to the campaign to end peat sales. If you would like to help further, please do email your MP asking them to write to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) about this issue.
Or if you’d like to learn more about the campaign, please visit Peat-free Partnership.
The Bog Creature in London
The Bog Creature and campaigners outside the Downing Street gates
The Peat-free Partnership is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and hosted by the wild plant conservation charity Plantlife. It is a broad coalition bringing together horticultural businesses and organisations alongside environmental NGOs across the UK with the overarching goal of ending the sale and supply of peat for horticulture in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Partnership works with a range of horticulture sector businesses wanting to see swift progress towards legislation to end peat sales, from small nurseries to large wholesalers, retailers, market gardeners and compost manufacturers. Other partners include the RHS, The Wildlife Trusts, Garden Organic, the National Trust and National Trust for Scotland, and many others. www.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
Extraction of peat for gardening and horticulture continues to damage wildlife and our climate, despite government commitments to phase it out.
This blanket bog is one of the most extensive peatlands left in Europe and has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Flow Country.
Hosted by Plantlife, the Peat-free Partnership is a coalition of horticultural businesses and eNGOs calling for an end to commercial peat trade across the UK.
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