34
Accepted
Gaps in local knowledge and skills impede effective soil health management.
Conclusion
There are gaps in local knowledge and skills when it comes to soil health and soil management across the economy. As environmental outcomes become more embedded in policy through agricultural, planning, construction and other reforms, it is vital that consultants and advisors as well as land managers are well-prepared to make decisions. The land use framework could help but it is no replacement for effective training, well-resourced consulting and ensuring that advice is based on the latest scientific knowledge. Stakeholders have made the case for improved education, training and guidance that is relevant to different soils and farm systems, as well as a well-resourced advisory sector. We agree that we need to see much more farmer- led research, combined with peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, to develop best soil management practices. We believe this could create a more positive feedback loop to encourage greater take-up of ELM schemes.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the need for improved soil health knowledge and skills, outlining multiple actions including mandating industry standards for SFI funding, providing free business advice until March 2025, supporting the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, introducing an agriculture T-Level, and developing a Green Jobs Plan.
Paragraph Reference
118
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We are mandating industry recognised standards as part of the SFI funding offer to ensure farmers receive quality assured, specialist expertise that they need to implement nutrient management and integrated pest management actions. Over 18,000 farmers have received business advice through the Farming Resilience Fund, and we will continue to fund free business advice until March 2025 to help increase profitability and deliver on environmental outcomes, access carbon audits and natural capital assessments. We are supporting feasibility and planning for more complex activities with targeted financial support and are working with relevant arms-length bodies (ALBs) to develop the roles of Defra group ALB advisers to improve local join up and consistency. This will enable them to aid understanding and uptake of funding opportunities in their local context, supported in tandem with the improved facilitation fund to provide farmers with joined up access to expertise, advice and support. We are working with the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) to support the agricultural sector in understanding and meeting its own skill and training needs. We are introducing a T-Level for agriculture so young people can access the skills and information they need to move into the agricultural sector. Furthermore, we are working with DESNZ, DfE, DWP, IfATE and sector leaders to develop and publish a Green Jobs Plan. The Plan will set out government and industry actions to help ensure the UK has the skilled workforce required for the green transition. A number of sectoral task and finish groups have contributed evidence on skills and employment needs and are working across their sectors to drive action. This includes a task and finish group focussed on Nature, chaired by the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). The Plan will be published later this year.
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.5 yrs
Report published
05 Dec 2023