The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is to look into
the state of peatland in England.
80% of UK peatland is in a damaged and deteriorating state,
according to the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said in 2013 that,
without action, it is likely that the current level of
degradation will increase with climate change and will
increasingly cause costly problems to society.
Peat bogs and fens are important habitats for many species, and
have many environmental benefits including storing carbon,
improving water quality and helping with flood management.
Degraded peatlands release carbon into the atmosphere and are
highly vulnerable to wild fires.
According to the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan
conventional agricultural production using current techniques on
drained peatland is inherently unsustainable. An England Peatland
Strategy is expected to be published by the end of 2019.
The Committee will look at how peatland in England has been
degraded, the environmental impacts of that degradation, and how
it can be restored.
Terms of reference
The Committee is seeking written submissions that address the
following questions:
- What
is the current state of peatlands in England, and how is it
changing?
- What
is the potential contribution of peatland restoration to the UK’s
net zero greenhouse gas target, and the consequence of inaction?
- What
are the other economic, ecological and cultural benefits of
restoring and maintaining peatlands?
- What
are the costs of peatland restoration, and what wider societal
and economic adaptations might it require?
- What
should be included in the forthcoming England Peatland Strategy?
Deadline for submissions
Written evidence should be submitted through the Committee’s web
portal by midnight on Monday 23 September.
It is recommended that all submitters familiarise themselves with
the Guidance on giving evidence to a Select Committee of the
House of Commons which outlines particulars of word count,
format, document size, and content restrictions.
