Webinar to address horticultural industry peat use and developing Sustainable Growing Media

FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine, supported by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), invites all those in the ornamental horticulture supply chain to discuss the path towards sustainable growing media.

The use of peat in horticulture is increasingly challenged by governments and NGOs around the world as part of the battle against climate change. The horticulture industry requires good quality, consistent growing media that is available at a good price. For many years peat has ticked these boxes while at the same time growing media producers and researchers have been investigating alternatives.

Watch the webinar on demand and find out what the global industry thinks.

Download the presentation PDFs

• Mr Marko Pomerants
• Ms Cecilia Luetgebrune
• Ms Catherine Dawson

NEWS STORIES

Mr Marko Pomerants, President of International Peatland Society (IPS), will provide the current global perspective on the use of peat in horticulture and what IPS are doing to support and address sustainability concerns.

“You’ve probably heard the story of Kyle MacDonald, a 26-year-old Canadian who made an online offer to exchange a red paper clip for something better, and his subsequent bartering got him the home of his dreams.
I want to hope that searches in the growing media sector to find a better substitute for peat do not lead us to the reverse of good fortune, and we end with a red paper clip.”

IN THE NEWS

Ms Cecilia Luetgebrune of Growing Media Europe will discuss how growing media suppliers are tackling the issue of sustainability. She will explain more about the barriers to change and how these are being overcome in different countries.

“A sustainable growing medium has a low environmental footprint while meeting both social compliance and economic viability criteria. What is however sometimes forgotten in the public debate: it also has to be fit-for-purpose as it can only be sustainable if it actually helps plants to grow in an efficient way.”

IN THE NEWS

Ms Catherine Dawson of Melcourt Industries Ltd, UK, will discuss the establishment of the Sustainable Growing Media Sourcing scheme in the UK and how the supply chain is achieving sustainability against the backdrop of strong environmental lobbies.

“I am delighted to be speaking about the UK’s new Responsible Sourcing of Growing Media Scheme which has been created by a very diverse group of interested parties. The scheme brings to growing media a transparency that has been lacking until now and it will allow consumers and growers to buy with more confidence about the impacts their choices are having.”

Mr Hein Boon of RHP, the European knowledge centre for growing media since 1963. Mr Boon will be part of the panel session, where webinar registrants can pose questions about growing media alternatives.

“An objective assessment of sustainability of Growing Media requires a holistic view of impact (life-cycle assessment), responsible production and securing quality and safety aspects.”

IN THE NEWS

Mr Peter van den Dool of Van der Knaap Group that specialises in developing high quality, organic solutions for the rooting and growth of plants. Mr Van Den Dool will be part of the panel session, where webinar registrants can pose questions about growing media alternatives.

“We believe that circularity is our responsibility. Cooperation is the way to achieve this.”

Mr Moritz Böcking of Klasmann-Deilmann – a leading corporate group in the international growing media industry. Mr Böcking will be part of the panel session, where webinar registrants can pose questions about growing media alternatives.

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