How is soil protected?
Little statutory protection exists specifically for England's soil, although they are indirectly protected by other legislation such as that covering the prevention of pollution and contamination, and for land use planning.
For example, soil is included in the Government policy for Protecting 'the best and most versatile' agricultural land
, and in Minerals and Waste Planning.
There are also obligations on farmers in receipt of the Single Farm Payment to manage soil in accordance with the requirements of Standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). Improved soil management is also covered by Environmental Stewardship.
Priority River Catchments have been identified as part of the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative. This seeks to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture by encouraging appropriate soil management, for example, improving soil structure to maximise infiltration of rainfall and minimise run-off and soil erosion.
Protection at European and national level
In September 2006, the European Commission adopted a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, which includes proposals for a Soil Framework Directive. The proposed directive primarily seeks to address seven key threats to European soils:
- erosion
- organic matter decline
- compaction
- salinisation
- landslides
- contamination
- soil sealing.
Defra published a new Soil Strategy for England (PDF) in September 2009, a successor to the First Soil Action Plan for England 2004-2006, which addresses many of the threats identified in the thematic strategy and in the draft directive within an English context.
Related information
- Soil Strategy for England (Defra)
- Soil net
- Land use and planning (Defra)
- Soil (Defra)
