Bog owners' rights to cut and sell turf won’t be affected under new draft legislations on solid fuels.
Under the new plan, people will still be able to sell turf; however they are not permitted to advertise the goods online or in local press, and can no longer sell turf from petrol stations or shops.
The ban on smoky coal will also be extended under the agreement.
The regulations are expected to come into force on October 31st.
The Government announced today that the primary focus of the draft regulations is on the large-scale, commercial sale of smoky fuels, including smoky coal, turf and wet wood, claiming these fuels are proven to be a major contributor to air pollution in Ireland.
Under the regulations the following new health standards for solid fuels will apply from 31st October this year.
- Coal products and manufactured solid fuels must have a smoke emission rate of less than 10g/hour;
- Manufactured part biomass products must have a smoke emission rate of less than 5g/hr;
- Coal products and manufactured solid fuels, including manufactured part biomass products, must have a sulphur content of less than 2% by weight on a dry ash-free basis. Subject to a market assessment, this limit will be reduced to 1% with effect from 1 September 2025;
- 100% biomass products, wood products and wood logs, supplies in units under 2m³, will be required to have a moisture content of 25% or less (moving to 20% with effect from 1st September 2025). Wood logs sold in larger volumes will be required to come with instructions for the purchaser on how to dry this wood.
- People with turbary rights and all other customary practices in respect of turf will be unaffected by these draft regulations. They will continue to be able to cut turf for their own use and will retain the ability to gift or sell turf. However, no sale of turf may take place by way of the internet or other media (i.e. advertising in local press), or from retail premises.
