Safeguarding our Soils acknowledges the stress on Britain’s soils from 200 years of intensive agriculture and industrialisation, and sets out how government plans to tackle issues such as erosion, loss of organic matter and nutrients and the pressure on existing land for building.
By 2050 the world will need to double current food production to feed a growing population, possible only with healthy soils.
Future sustainability of the UK’s food supply will depend on maintaining the natural resources, including soil, on which production depends.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: “Soil is one of the building blocks of life.
“Good quality soils are essential for a thriving farming industry, a sustainable food supply, and a healthy environment.
“Britain’s soils hold more carbon than all the trees in Europe’s forests – and their protection is critical if we are to successfully combat climate change.
“This is an important step in increasing the value we place on soil, and will safeguard this vital resource now and in the future.”
The strategy sets out how the government will:
Sam Bond
© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.