First Report - Soil health
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 245
5 December 2023
Recommendations
6 results
15
Accepted in Part
Para 60
Develop ambitious ELM scheme plans for soils by 2026, including a 90% land target.
Recommendation
Using an analysis of recent soil health trends, the Government should set out, by 2026, long-term plans for how ELM schemes will become more ambitious for soils. This should include: a) Putting all basic actions known to improve soils into …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the SFI already incorporates many soil actions and will consider adding more, while exploring ways to adapt CS. They recognize the value of defining "sustainable soil management" and aim to do so with stakeholder engagement. However, they aim for 60% of agricultural soil under sustainable management by 2030, a lower target than the recommended 90% by 2040.
18
Accepted in Part
Para 70
ELMs and the establishment of private ecosystem marketplaces do not tackle all the fundamental economic...
Recommendation
ELMs and the establishment of private ecosystem marketplaces do not tackle all the fundamental economic drivers of unsustainable soil management within the supply chain. We would like to see the Government set out how it will deal with the poor …
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Government Response Summary
The government details existing grants, a new £25 million Nutrient Management Theme, and plans a consultation on fertiliser regulations to boost the supply and access of diverse organic inputs. However, the response does not specifically set out how it will deal with poor profitability in the sector, ensure assurance standards support sustainable soil management, or consider measures to help consumers make more sustainable choices.
19
Accepted in Part
Para 71
By mid-2025, the Government should develop an action plan setting out how it will make...
Recommendation
By mid-2025, the Government should develop an action plan setting out how it will make organic inputs a more economical choice for farmers. This should include measures that boost the availability and diversity of organic inputs to achieve soil health …
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Government Response Summary
The government details existing grants, like the £200m Slurry Infrastructure Grant, and a new £25 million Nutrient Management Theme launching in spring 2024, to support novel fertilisers and organic input development. They will also consult on fertiliser regulations. However, the response does not commit to developing a comprehensive action plan by mid-2025 to make organic inputs a more economical choice for farmers, as recommended.
27
Accepted in Part
Para 94
Publish a 2026 timeline for Extended Producer Responsibility targeting soil and water pollutants.
Recommendation
The national soil monitoring programme should aim to gain a better understanding of the scale of soil contamination. To spur progress on nature recovery targets, this information should identify problematic areas that local authorities and developers are encouraged to remediate. …
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Government Response Summary
The government is developing a £78m Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme to support local authorities in remediating contaminated land. While the national soil monitoring program is collecting data on some inorganic contaminants, it is not currently collecting data on organic contaminants like pesticides and microplastics, and the response does not address the recommendation for Extended Producer Responsibility or its timeline.
31
Accepted in Part
Para 107
Continue supportive compliance monitoring while boosting comprehensive and frequent farm inspections.
Recommendation
The Environment Agency and the Rural Payments Agency should continue to take an initially supportive approach when monitoring compliance, given the low levels of engagement and the fact that most farmers want to do the right thing for their soils. …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with advice-led approaches and states enforcement occurs when advice is not acted upon. It highlights the use of earth observation technology for more efficient inspections and targeted advice, building on a successful pilot, but does not explicitly commit to boosting the overall frequency and comprehensiveness of site visits.
36
Accepted in Part
Invest in research to develop tailored guidance and decision-making tools for ELM objectives.
Recommendation
The review should also identify where guidance documents for sustainable farming— including sustainable soil management—could be better synthesised and made more specific to particular settings. Working closely with respected organisations such as the AHDB, the Government should invest in research …
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Government Response Summary
The government details its ongoing efforts to refine and improve accessibility and specificity of guidance through user testing, supplementary products, and online tools. However, it does not commit to investing in research for decision-making tools or subsidising collaborations and knowledge exchange as also recommended.