Soil
Soil is a fundamental and essentially non-renewable natural resource, providing the essential link between the components that make up our environment. Soils vary hugely from region to region and even from field to field, but they all perform a number of valuable functions or ecosystem services for society including nutrient cycling, water regulation, carbon storage, support for biodiversity and wildlife, and providing a platform for food and fibre production and infrastructure.
Soils in England continue to be degraded by human actions including intensive agriculture, historic levels of industrial pollution and urban development, making them vulnerable to erosion (by wind and water), compaction and loss of organic matter. As the climate (including temperature and rainfall patterns) changes in the future, it is likely that soils have the potential to be further degraded, both as a result of the direct and indirect impacts of climate change, for example as land managers adapt their practices and the crops that they grow.
Current policies focus on protecting English soils and the important ecosystem services that they provide. In June 2011, the Government outlined it’s vision for England’s soils in the Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP). This set a clear target that by 2030 we want all of England’s soils to be managed sustainably and degradation threats tackled successfully, in order to improve the quality of soil and to safeguard its ability to provide essential ecosystem services and functions for future generations. As part of this vision, the Government committed to undertaking further research to explore how soil degradation can affect the soils ability to support vital ecosystem services; and how best to manage our lowland peatlands in a way that supports efforts to tackle climate change. This will inform our future policies and the direction of future action towards 2030.
Following a consultation, Defra also set out its plans for reducing the horticultural use of peat in the Natural Environment White Paper. This included an ambition to reduce peat use to zero by 2030.
- Further information on this and the work of the Sustainable Growing Media Taskforce.
Soil Protection Review 2010 (SPR2010)
Action is already being taken to tackle soil degradation threats in agricultural soils through the Soil Protection Review 2010 (SPR) under cross compliance and through options in Environmental Stewardship. Anyone who receives support under the Single Payment Scheme must meet the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) standards for soil management and protection, as well as other relevant standards. The SPR requires all claimants to assess the risk of soil erosion, compaction and soil organic matter loss on their holding and select and apply appropriate actions to mitigate the risk.
The SPR2010 booklet was issued in 2010 for use from 2010-2013. Technical advice on the SPR and cross compliance can be accessed by the Farming Advice Service.
- Copies of the SPR 2010 and a video on how to complete it can be downloaded
Completing your SPR online brings additional benefits:
- the online SPR can be quicker and easier to complete than paper forms and it will remember information about your farm,
- making your annual review and any in-year updates faster to complete.
You can access the SPR online through Defra Farm Surveys & Assessments service on Business Link.
Following the recommendations of the Farming Regulation Task Force, the government agreed to work with industry to explore future options for the SPR with the aim of putting in place new arrangements by end 2013. To start the process Defra have commissioned a farmer survey to evaluate the current SPR2010. This is due to report in summer 2012.
Soils and Construction
Some of the most significant impacts on soil occur as a result of activities associated with construction. A Construction Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites has therefore been developed to assist anyone involved in the construction sector to better protect the soil resources with which they work. Following the guidance in the Code will not only help protect and enhance the soil resources on site but may also achieve cost savings for your business.
Defra has also produced an online training tool Toolbox Talks (PDF) to demonstrate how soils may be handled more sustainably on construction sites.
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has also produced a Strategy for Sustainable Construction.
Further information
If you have any queries about soil policy then please email the Defra Soils Team: soils@defra.gsi.gov.uk .
The following pages provide more details on specific policies, including:
- Negotiations on the Soil Framework Directive
- Soil Protection Review (PDF 750 KB)
- Protection of agricultural soils and dealing with contaminated land