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BergerFAQ |
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| Environment |  | | | | | | | | |
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| Q. : What programs exist for regeneration and recovery? |
| There are several projects in progress. In Quebec and New Brunswick, government agencies and private companies are currently carrying out research on the restoration of abandoned peat moss bogs. In Rivière-du-Loup, the areas where peat moss was harvested during the 1960s and the 1970s have regenerated as bogs naturally. The peat moss industry is presently carrying out studies and research on ways to accelerate the recovery period. |
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| Q. : Does restoration mean to return to its original state? |
| The goal is for the area that has been harvested to become once again a wetland, that is, a functioning ecosystem. |
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| Q. : How is the plant and animal life protected? |
| Because government agencies are legally required to conduct analyses before the peat moss bogs are harvested, protection of plant and animal life is assured. |
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| Q. : Are there any plants or animals classified as endangered species in Canadian peat moss bogs? |
| Essentially, no. In general, peat moss bogs contain only about 20 to 30 varieties of plants. The most common plants found in peat moss bogs are sheep laurel, azaleas, leatherwood, Labrador tea, bog laurels and blueberries. |
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| Q. : Why has a campaign been set up to fight the use of peat moss? |
| Simply because of confusion about the harvest and the availability of Canadian peat moss and the situation that exists in Europe. Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a readily available resource that gardeners can use with complete confidence for several reasons: the national parks of Canada protect some of the resources; before authorizing a new peat moss harvesting operation, government officials analyze the environmental impact; the companies have developed harvesting techniques based on the continued growth and protection of the resource; several peat moss deposits cannot be harvested because of transportation costs or because of the market value of their peat moss. |
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| Q. : What happens to the peat moss bog after it has been worked? |
| The harvested peat moss bog returns to its natural state. Research is underway to find ways to speed up the recovery process. Some abandoned peat moss bogs are used for the production of cranberries. Some are reforested while others are left to regenerate naturally. These practices are still relatively new because not many peat moss bogs are abandoned. |
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| Q. : Does harvesting peat moss cause long-term ecological damage? |
| No. To ensure this, the Canadian peat moss industry works in close collaboration with government lawmakers. The Canadian Association of Peat Moss Producers brings together 90% of the Canadian producers, and keeps members informed of environmentally-friendly harvesting procedures |
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| Q. : What measures are being taken to prevent excessive exploitation of peat moss bogs? |
| In addition to the stringent programs and practices set up by the industry itself, laws and government policies have been adopted to encourage quicker recovery and restoration. Each province oversees the development, harvest and planning of their peat moss operations. In New Brunswick, for example, every peat moss harvesting operation of more than two hectares must undergo a government assessment. Harvesting operations cannot be developed on government-owned land unless a recovery plan has been submitted. |
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| Q. : How can the harvest be increased without putting the environment at risk? |
| Increasing the peat moss harvest poses no threat to the environment, for many reasons: the objective of the industry is sustainable development; unexploited peat moss bogs regenerate ten times faster than the volume of harvested peat moss; the peat moss industry has only grown by 25% over the last ten years. |
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