Monday, 16 December 2013

National Peatlands Strategy.

The National Peatlands Strategy will be published before the end of the year. While much of the focus will be on the turf cutting issue on SAC bogs the strategy will also address issues relating specifically to blanket bogs and heaths. These are likely to include turf cutting, forestry, wind farms and climate change. The possibility of new types of funding such as the sale of carbon credits is also likely.

How these issues can be developed in partnership with local landowners and other stakeholders will be challenging. While undoubtedly there is potential in the recognition of the public goods value of peatlands it will be difficult to realise this if funding and political support are limiting.