The 22nd Baltic Peat Producers’ Forum took place in Birštonas with the main theme of how to ensure responsible and sustainable use of peat

The Baltic Peat Producers Forum, organised by the Association of Growing Media Manufacturers (ATGA), brought together leaders from the growing media industry to discuss the sustainable and responsible use of peat in growing media. This year’s main theme of the Forum was “Shaping the future of growing media for people and the planet”, which underlines the commitment of the association’s members to innovative practices that nurture the earth and empower communities. More than 270 participants from 130 organisations and companies from 17 countries attended the Forum.

According to Giedriaus Kavaliauskas, Executive Director of the Association of Growing Media Producers (ATGA) and the organiser of the forum, the community gathered at the event is like a movement for innovative, responsible and sustainable use of peat in growing media.

“We understand the importance of striking a balance between exploiting the potential of peat media and preserving our natural ecosystems. The industry is currently undergoing significant changes. In the past, we were more focused on peat extraction. Today, more than 90% of the association’s members are producers of growing media and we are focused on sustainability aspects. Our goal is a sustainable industry. The members of the association already apply the highest standards and best practices in their activities, and use peatlands in a way that takes into account environmental, social and economic aspects,” said Kavaliauskas.

Welcoming the guests of the Forum, the Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Simonas Gentvilas, pointed out that the issue of ecology and sustainability is of particular importance in the industry today. This is certainly true for the production of growing media, because, as in many industries, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are monitored in these activities.

“We are seeking dialogue with business on GHG emissions, corrections in legislation on the return of exhausted peatlands to nature in parts, and encouraging business to contribute as much as possible to the implementation of the peat industry’s environmental impact and national climate change mitigation commitments,” emphasised Minister of the Environment S.Gentvilas.

G. Kavaliauskas, Executive Director of ATGA, agreed, pointing out that it is the responsibility of companies to restore the wetland regime on the exploited areas – to reclaim them.

“In view of the regulation and the desire to contribute to the Climate Change Policy, the members of the Association propose to carry out the reclamation in phases, without waiting for the end of the exploitation of all areas. The piecemeal reclamation would reduce GHG emissions, ‘contain and lock’ them, which would partially offset the CO2 emissions from the companies’ activities in the future,” said Kavaliauskas.

He stressed that just as the entire European horticulture industry is working hard to reduce the use of peat in growing media by replacing it with alternative renewable raw materials, so too are Lithuanian industrial companies taking decisive action in this area.

“Lithuanian companies are already using a range of alternative raw materials such as wood fibre, perlite, coir and bark compost or sapropel. These substances help to ensure optimal conditions for plant growth while reducing the amount of peat used in growing media. The companies work closely with local growers and scientists to find new solutions and to improve the composition of growing media and propose new formulation and incorporation technologies. This cooperation is essential to find effective alternatives to peat and to ensure that new materials meet both agronomic requirements and environmental standards. G. Kavaliauskas.

He said that Lithuanian industry is trying to use peat resources sparingly by producing mixtures of peat and alternative materials. This allows for a more economical and rational use of Lithuania’s natural resources, while ensuring that the plants grown receive all the nutrients they need and optimum growing conditions. The growing media industry is moving towards sustainability by actively seeking and applying innovative solutions to improve the environmental status of peatlands.

In Lithuania, peatlands cover around 650 000 ha. hectares, of which the peat industry uses around 2%. y. just under 14 000. ha. At present, almost all peat raw material extracted in Lithuania is used for crop production and the production of growing media.