By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.Defra announces measures to protect British soils
DEFRA has announced a raft of measures to be introduced as part of its strategy to protect Britain’s soils.
Publishing the ‘Safeguarding our Soils’ report this week, environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced a wide ranging review of current measures in place to protect soils.
This will include a review of CAP cross-compliance requirements as well as reviewing the need for further soil protection options under Environmental Stewardship.
Mr Benn warned soil erosion was costing farmers some £9 million a year in lost production and said it was vital to food security that measures were put in place to protect them.
He said: “Good quality soils are essential for a thriving farming industry, a sustainable food supply and a healthy environment.
“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 work to reverse the degradation of Britain’s soils, outlining a series of key actions to be taken by Defra in the coming years.
Key aims of ‘Safeguarding our Soils’
- CAP cross -compliance soil protection review to be launched in January 2010
- A review of the need for future options under Environmental Stewardship to improve soil protection
- A new goal to significantly reduce the rate of loss of stored soil carbon by 2020
- A commitment to developing a new framework for action for peat protection, including on horticultural peat use, post-2010
- Reviewing thresholds for pollutants entering soil through recycling materials to land
- Publishing a new code of practice for soil use on construction sites and a new toolkit for planners in 2010 on how to take account of soil functions through the planning system
- Reviewing the effectiveness of the existing planning policy to protect important soils and whether there is a need to update it
- Publishing new best practice guidance on decision making for contaminated land
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Readers' comments (2)
Alice Jones Pengwern Farm,Bodelwyddan,Denbighshire | 25 September 2009 3:27 pm
Bodelwyddan village.North Wales has been year marked for a huge development as a new town /mixed use/1715housies,industrial,bussiness .Prime ,fertlie ,beautiful farm land.Should never allowed.Only 900 houses in village.It will become over 6000 residents. in 12yrs Mad Local Development Plan out to public consultation.No trasparency regarding the process.Against policies on protection of agri land a fineite resource.All ignored.Please help me.Action grooup set up to challenge it.Help ,Help please
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Anonymous | 25 September 2009 3:56 pm
"reduce the rate of loss of stored soil carbon" by 2020 doesn't sound much of a target. What about increasing soil carbon, wouldn't that be better?
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