First Report - Soil health
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 245
5 December 2023
Recommendations
2 results
32
Not Addressed
Para 108
Develop new funding systems for Environment Agency compliance monitoring and site visits.
Recommendation
More monitoring will mean that these agencies need to be fully resourced. In the case of the Environment Agency, where funding for monitoring usually comes via the Environmental Permitting regulations, the Department needs to come up with ways of driving …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it uses advice-led approaches and technology, such as earth observation, to enable more efficient inspections and targeted advice for soil damage prevention. However, the response does not address the specific recommendation to increase funding for agency monitoring or develop new systems for funding compliance visits.
33
Not Addressed
Publish clear, resourced compliance monitoring regime by 2028 for farm visits.
Recommendation
The EA and the RPA should continue with the “supportive” approach to compliance monitoring. By the end of the agricultural transition in 2028, however, Defra and these institutions should publish a clear and transparent regime of comprehensive site visits and …
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Government Response Summary
The government advocates for advice-led approaches and efficient inspections using earth observation technology to identify land management risks. However, the response does not commit to publishing a comprehensive regime of site visits by 2028, ensuring routine visits every few years, or developing ways to increase funding for compliance monitoring.