According to Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy, peat is currently being imported into Ireland for the mushroom sector, while the harvesting of peat is not permitted here. He called the governmental inaction to resolve the peat supply issues ‘scandalous’. Carthy is a TD for Cavan-Monaghan. He recently stated: “For a number of years I have been highlighting the existential threat that is faced by the sector due to the inability to harvest peat in this state. We accept that the use of peat must be phased-out but we also know from several government commissioned reports that this will take time. At present, peat is being imported into this state. It is a non-sensical situation that brings zero environmental benefit and places the mushroom sector at risk.”
Carthy claimed that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have shown no willingness to resolve the situation. He called on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue to “set out a roadmap…as to exactly how he intends to support the sector and resolve this crisis”.
Source: agriland.ie