Articles
ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PEAT SUPPLY CHAIN FOR DUTCH HORTICULTURE
Article number
982_9
Pages
93 – 97
Language
English
Abstract
Peat is an important growing medium constituent for Dutch horticulture, but peat excavation may conflict with demands of society such as halting the loss of biodiversity and prevention of carbon emission.
Responding to these potential conflicts The Dutch ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (currently the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation) commissioned this study to provide insights in options to enhance the sustainability of the peat supply chain for the Dutch horticulture. Via a combination of literature review and stakeholder interaction the options to enhance the sustainability of the use of peat in horticulture in the Netherlands have been studied and discussed.
The main outcomes of the study are that to enhance the sustainability one should focus on already degraded peat areas for extraction and transparency in the supply chain should be increased to be able to have a clear and open communication with the public so enhancing the credibility of the sector.
In addition research to new extraction methods to upgrade degraded peat and the development of high quality sustainable alternatives for growing media should be continued.
More attention to the after use and rehabilitation of mined areas is needed.
Responding to these potential conflicts The Dutch ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (currently the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation) commissioned this study to provide insights in options to enhance the sustainability of the peat supply chain for the Dutch horticulture. Via a combination of literature review and stakeholder interaction the options to enhance the sustainability of the use of peat in horticulture in the Netherlands have been studied and discussed.
The main outcomes of the study are that to enhance the sustainability one should focus on already degraded peat areas for extraction and transparency in the supply chain should be increased to be able to have a clear and open communication with the public so enhancing the credibility of the sector.
In addition research to new extraction methods to upgrade degraded peat and the development of high quality sustainable alternatives for growing media should be continued.
More attention to the after use and rehabilitation of mined areas is needed.
Authors
J. Verhagen, H. Diemont, H. Boon, M. Silvius
Keywords
biodiversity, growing media, peat extraction, rehabilitation mined area, future peat supply
Online Articles (9)