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Growing Media Initiative
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Welcome to the Growing Media Initiative |
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Background to the need to reduce peat use
Peat is a major constituent of much horticultural growing media. It is well suited to a wide range of plant species and growing regimes, and is used particularly in the production of ornamental plants as well as fruit and vegetable seedlings and container-grown stock.
Under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Lowland Raised Bog Habitat), the Government is committed to facilitate research and development into sustainable alternatives to peat and to encourage the development and marketing of peat alternatives.
The aim of the Plan is for 40% of the total market requirements to be peat free by 2005 and 90% by 2010. The Plan can be viewed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) web site.
The ADAS/Enviowise report, published by Defra in 2006, shows that 66% of peat used in 2005 was used by amateur gardeners, and commercial horticulture accounting for the remainder.
It has been estimated that the horticulture industry accounts for about one-third (much of it imported) of all the peat used as growing medium in this country, with the remaining two-thirds used almost entirely by amateur gardeners.
The report also shows that the 40% peat-free target in 2005 was met.
www.defra.gov.uk/science/documents/publications/Peat.pdf
A copy of the ADAS/Enviowise report, Peat Alternative Products 2005, can be downloaded from this website.
Soil Strategy for England
The reduction of peat use and the preservation of peat soils are key elements of the draft Soil Strategy for England which will replace the First Soil Action Plan for England (2004-2006).
Defra issued a public consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England on 31 March 2008.
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/land/soil/index.htm
The draft Soil Strategy for England takes stock of progress under the first Action Plan, as well as taking forward emerging priorities for soil protection on maintaining soil carbon and the recycling of organic wastes to land.
Background to the Growing Media Initiative (GMI)
The Growing Media Initiative is a scheme developed by the Horticultural Trades Association in conjunction with the Growing Media Association, DIY and Garden Centre retailers, Defra, the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society.
The GMI has been developed in order to help the horticultural industry in the UK meet government targets for reduction in peat use. Peatlands are an important habitat and carbon store globally and it is now widely recognised that it is important to minimise further drainage of peat bogs and peat extraction.
The GMI scheme aims to increase awareness about the need to protect the world's peatlands and the need therefore to use more sustainable materials for growing their plants and improving the soil in their gardens.
Scope of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI)
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1997) stated that the horticultural industry should aim for a minimum of 40% of total market requirements (soil improver plus growing media products) to be peat-free by 2005 and 90% by 2010.
The 2005 target has been met due to the combined efforts of suppliers, growers and retailers in the horticulture sector. The 2010 target is much more challenging but this scheme aims to be a catalyst for a greater rate of change in peat replacement.
The GMI Scheme is designed for retailers and manufacturers of growing media and soil improver to monitor reductions in peat use achieved by these businesses. The initial focus is on bagged products of growing media and soil improvers sold to amateur gardeners in the UK retail market.
The main bagged products are growing media such as multipurpose compost, growbags and soil improvers/mulches such as bark mulch. The growing media used by professional growers which is sold as part of plant products by retailers will be included in the scheme at a later date.
The scheme has been developed by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) in association with the Growing Media Association (GMA is a HTA Specialist Group), DIY and garden centre retailers, Defra, the Royal Society for the protection of birds (RSPB) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The scheme has evolved through extensive discussions within this group as well as further consultation with supermarket retailers and the National Trust.
Provisional GMI membership is open to retailers and manufacturers of growing media and soil improvers who are committed to achieving 90% peat replacement in their business and who are currently operating at a minimum of 20% replacement in retail products. They must produce an annual Action Plan and demonstrate year on year progress.
Full GMI membership is awarded to businesses that have achieved 55% peat reduction in retail bagged products and that have an audited Action Plan detailing progress and how they are publicising their goals on peat replacement both internally and to customers.
Gold GMI membership will be awarded to those businesses that have achieved the Defra 90% peat replacement target.
The GMI scheme is managed by an elected Steering Group and audited by independent third party auditors.
Peat Reduction Action Plan
A key element in becoming a member of GMI is the development of a Peat Reduction Action Plan to demonstrate the work that will be carried out to achieve the required year on year improvement in peat reduction.
Action plan examples have been prepared for both Retailers and Growing Media Manufacturers. Copies are contained in the appendix attached to the GMI Rules and Procedures.
The GMI Rules and Procedures provide a competitive guide to the background and membership requirements of the Growing Media Initiative. The attached appendices provide guidance on compliance with the Scheme and details in the following areas:
GMI peat sourcing policy
Products included in the Scheme
Action plans Retailers and Growing Media Manufacturers
Annual information required
Use all the GMI logo
A full copy of the Rules and Procedures can be downloaded from this site or obtained by contacting the Horticultural Trades Association.
Alison Smith - The Horticultural Trades Association, Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading RG7 5AH
alison.smith@the-hta.org.uk Telephone: 0118 930 3132 Fax: 0118 932 3453
Membership Application Form
Copies of the Membership Application Form can be down loaded from this site. The application contains details of the subscription rates
Please return completed application forms to:
Alison Smith - The Horticultural Trades Association, Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading RG7 5AH
alison.smith@the-hta.org.uk Telephone: 0118 930 3132 Fax: 0118 932 3453
Growing Media Initiative Steering Group
| 1. Chair HTA |
Tim Briercliffe - HTA |
| 2. Secretary HTA |
Alec Turnbull - HTA |
| 3. Retailer DIY multiple |
George Padelopoulos - B&Q |
| 4. Retailer Independent Garden Centre |
Caroline Owen - Scotsdales |
| 5. Retailer Multiple Garden Centre |
Susan MacDonald - Dobbies |
| 6. Manufacturer Chair of GMA |
Martin Breddy Scotts Miracle-Gro |
| 7. Manufacturer GMA member |
Jamie Robinson Westland Horticulture |
| 8. Non-Governmental Organisations |
Paul Alexander RHS |
| 9. Government |
Judith Stuart DEFRA |
| 10. Inspector representative |
Neil Gray - ADAS |
| 11. ther |
Catherine Dawson - Melcourt Industries |
| 12. Advisory Member |
Olly Watts - RSPB > |
Growing Media Initiative - Members
Growing Media Initiative Applicants
Aylett Nurseries
Bord NA Mona
Dobbies
Focus
White Moss Horticulture
GMI Logo for Use on UK Retail Bagged Growing Media
The Member of the Growing Media Initiative logo may only be used on UK Retail Bagged Growing Media on product that contains 50% peat or less by volume and is manufactured or sold under own brand labelling by Full and Gold Members that meet the full requirements of the GMI Rules and Procedures.
The GMI logo has been adapted for use on UK Retail Bagged Growing Media to include the following wording.
Member of the Growing Media Initiative
Raising awareness of reducing peat usage in the UK
www.growingmediainitiative.org.uk
The use of the GMI logo does not provide a guarantee of the quantity of peat or other growing media contained in the bag on which it is displayed.
These statements take into account the recommendations made in the DEFRA/GMA Guidance on Environmental Claims on Growing Media a copy of which is available on the GMI website.
The above amendments were agreed at GMI Steering Group Meeting held on the 5th September 2008 at BRC, London.
Raising awareness of reducing peat usage in the UK
www.growingmediainitiative.org.uk
Provided that the recommended wording is associated with the logo on the packaging the layout used may be adopted to fit in with the product branding.
The launch of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI)
An industry wide effort in peat reduction
Presentations from the launch of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI) which attracted over 50 senior delegates from garden centres, manufacturers, DIY stores, supermarkets, Defra and the RSPB to the Royal Garden Hotel in London on 12th November 2008.
All came to explore how businesses could work sensibly towards peat reduction and the government target of replacing 90% of peat usage by 2010. Many also recognised the opportunity to improve their environmental credentials.
Significant progress has been made already in reducing the use of peat including significant industry trialling in plant production and substantial manufacturer and retailer investment in dilution and alternatives.
Pictures of the presentations made to the first group to become audited members of the Growing media Initiative.
Growing Media Guide
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Reducing peat in retail growing media (383 kb)
