In response to environmental concerns, the National Trust has removed mushrooms from the offerings at the majority of its 300 dining establishments. This decision aligns with the ongoing discourse around the use of peat in mushroom cultivation, a practice criticized for its environmental impact, particularly in terms of carbon emissions.
The Wildlife Trusts have highlighted that since 1990, peat extraction for horticultural purposes has resulted in the release of 31 million tons of CO2, advocating for consumers to avoid peat-grown mushrooms. The UK mushroom industry, which predominantly relies on peat for cultivation, argues this campaign threatens numerous jobs within a sector valued at £528 million.
Source: dailymail.co.uk