Report points up need for peat resoaking

Natural England, the Defra subsidiary which has taken over responsibility for a lot of rural funding, says its report is "alarming news" about how peat degradation is contributing to global warming.

England's Peatlands – Carbon Storage and Greenhouse Gases, says three quarters of the deep peat in England is now damaged to the point where stored carbon is leaking back into the atmosphere as CO2 – equivalent to the emissions of a third of a million households, says the report

Peter Nottage, Natural England's director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Our wonderful and enigmatic peatland landscapes – the inspiration for the Bronts and Ted Hughes – are suffering. This report is a wake-up call. The report makes clear that the widespread restoration of our degraded peatlands by re-wetting dried out bogs and minimising damaging practices could substantially reduce these carbon losses and provide a significant and cost-effective contribution to meeting the UK's carbon targets.

"The condition of our peatlands has major implications for our response to climate change, the alleviation of flooding, the quality of our water supplies and the future of many rare and important species.

"Natural England will continue to work constructively with farmers and landowners and with key organisations like the National Park authorities, wildlife trusts, water companies and the Environment Agency, to develop restoration projects to give peatlands a more sustainable future."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn supported the message of the report. He said: "Peat soils are extremely valuable carbon stores as well as being home to wildlife."

The report can be found at http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE257/