EAC Soil Health Report published

• Report: Soil Health
• Report: Soil Health (PDF 761KB) 

EAC ‘Healthy soils (both urban and rural) are important for food production and human wellbeing. Soil health cannot be measured directly, so indicators (physical, chemical, and biological properties, processes, or characteristics) are generally used. These measurable properties of soil or plants provide clues about how well the soil can function. The EAC conclude

Soil is crucial to society. Neglecting soil health could have dire consequences for food security, climate change, and public health. Some of the most productive agricultural land in England is at risk of becoming unprofitable within a generation through soil erosion and loss of carbon, and the natural environment will be seriously harmed. The importance of soil has not always been reflected in public discourse or Government policy, with soil receiving little attention compared to issues like air, water and biodiversity. (Paragraph 100)

Defra’s upcoming 25-year environment plan should seek to rectify this long-standing deficit and place soil protection at the heart of environmental policy. Defra must also ensure that its accompanying 25-year plan for food and farming does not sit in tension with its environment plan. We must move away from viewing soil merely as a growth medium and treat it as an ecosystem in its own right. We call for more joined up soil policy between Government departments to ensure no clashes in priorities. As well as taking national action, the Government should remain open to action on a European level to ensure soil protection. (Paragraph 101)’

Review covers:

• Funding remediation
• Contaminated land
• Cross Compliance
• Action to improve organic matter – decline in C in peatlands
• Damage caused by maize for AD
• Monitoring (or not … ) soil condition

The soil health report also warns that failing to prevent soil degradation could lead to increased flood risk, lower food security, and higher carbon emissions.