To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies his Department has undertaken into the degrading of peat bogs by the releasing of carbon in the form of dissolved organic carbon. (132318)

The degradation of peat bogs can lead to a loss of soil carbon in various forms, including as dissolved organic carbon. Research into peat bog degradation and restoration in the UK has been, and is currently being, funded by a range of organisations such as water companies, conservation groups and the Government. DEFRA has recently undertaken reviews of the available literature on both the degradation of organic soils (including peat bogs) and management options for restoring degraded bogs.

We are now developing a programme of research on soil carbon to improve our understanding of the main mechanisms by which carbon is lost, the impacts of land use and land management, and practical methods for mitigating losses. This will form part of the forthcoming soil strategy for England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken (a) to preserve and (b) to reactivate drained peat bog land as carbon sinks; what his policy is on the long-term role of peat bogs as carbon sinks in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (132319)

The need to preserve peat bogs for their biodiversity value, and as stores of carbon, is being addressed on a range of fronts.

Agri-environment schemes provide for good management of around 230,000 hectares of peat bogs . A progress review of environmental stewardship (ES) is due to begin shortly. Increasing the contribution of ES to climate change mitigation, including the role of peat restoration, will be examined as part of this.

We are also working towards our current public service agreement target to ensure that 95 per cent. of the area in England designated as sites of special scientific interest is in favourable or recovering condition by 2010. A considerable proportion of peat bogs are designated as SSSIs and currently around two thirds of this area meets the target. Improving the condition of the remainder is a priority.

The England biodiversity strategy also contributes towards the protection of peat bogs, as does the UK air quality strategy which sets objectives to protect vegetation and ecosystems. The forthcoming soil strategy for England will draw together all these strands and DEFRA will consider, as part of this strategy, what further activity is required to protect existing carbon stocks.

Our long-term policy is to promote management which (i) minimises further losses of carbon from peat soils, and (ii) allows peat bogs to act as a carbon sink. The potential for significantly off-setting carbon emissions may be somewhat limited because of the time it takes for peat to form.

There are significant areas of peat bog in Scotland (which has over 70 per cent. of the UK peat resource), Wales and Northern Ireland. The devolved Administrations have policy responsibility in their territories, and DEFRA will continue to work closely with them.