As the UK’s summers grow increasingly hotter, irreplaceable peat is still being extracted from our climate-saving peatlands to grow supermarket fruit and veg.

Peat-free Partnership campaigners are taking action to stop this, asking their supermarkets: what are you doing to remove peat from supply chains to save peatlands? And the supermarkets are beginning to respond.

Booths commitment to going peat-free

Supermarket chain Booths responded that they will be taking further action to reinforce peat-reduction with their suppliers, and that customer feedback helps to inform what they do. Read their full response below:

“Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concerns about the use of peat in food production.
We recognise the important role healthy peatlands play in storing carbon, supporting wildlife, and helping to manage water, and we understand why customers want greater transparency about its use within food supply chains.
I’m delighted to report that all compost sold in Booths stores is peat-free and has been for some years.  We also ask our suppliers to keep sustainability at the forefront of their growing and production practices, including considering their use of natural resources and the environmental impact of the materials they use. We continue to discuss sustainability with our growers and producers, and your email provides a timely opportunity to reinforce the importance of peat reduction and the adoption of effective peat-free alternatives wherever possible.
We appreciate you taking the time to contact us. Customer feedback helps inform our conversations with suppliers and encourages progress towards more sustainable practices throughout our supply chain.”

What does this mean for the campaign for peat-free?

Supermarkets respond to public pressure and changes in purchasing habits. It is reassuring to hear that peat reduction is something already on Booths’ agenda, but we need transparency across all major retailers as to the environmental cost of our food.

The transition to peat-free needs support both from supermarkets, to commit and invest in growers who are peat-free, and from the UK Government, to provide a commitment to growers that their transition will be supported and keep them on a level playing field with other growers.

How can I help?

A response from a supermarket shows that people power is creating change, but we still have work to do.

Stand up for peatlands and campaign for a peat-free future using Peat-free Partnerships resources for individuals.

Your voice is powerful – let’s save our peatlands using it!

Find out more about the Get Peat Out of Our Homes campaign here.