Soil Policy Legacy Report

  • Commissioner: British Society of Soil Science
  • Conducted by: University Of East Anglia, UK; Wageningen University, The Netherlands, Sustainable Soils Alliance (SSA); Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Soil and Biotechnology Division, Bangor University, Swansea University, Cranfield University, UK; Agriculture and Sustainability, Devenish Nutrition, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, NatureScot
  • Year: 2022
  • Countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
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The report calls for an overarching framework to strategically define soil protection priorities and address current gaps in soil governance, highlighting the barriers posed by siloed working and systemic challenges. It advocates for a comprehensive soil health framework to support policy development, drawing on global lessons to promote soil health and prevent degradation. It emphasises on the importance of collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to create effective soil policies.

Highlights the need for an overarching framework to strategically define policy priorities, goals, and parameters for soil protection, addressing current gaps in soil governance.

Identifies the nature of siloed working and systemic challenges as barriers to effective soil governance, impacting soil health and carbon sequestration efforts.

Advocates for a comprehensive soil health framework to support policy development and address soil degradation and pollution.

Provides lessons from around the world on effective soil governance, including measures to promote soil health and prevent degradation.

Emphasises the need for collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to create effective soil policies.

Recommendations for policy implementation

  1. Recommends developing a national soil strategy with objectives to reduce soil consumption, protect soils from harmful impacts, and restore degraded soils.
  2. Suggests targeted policy development, including the integration of soil health into broader environmental policies.
  3. Discusses practical measures such as increasing organic matter, reducing soil disturbance, covering bare soil, planting more trees, reducing soil compaction, and designing crop rotations to improve soil health.
  4. Recommends engaging stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, and policymakers, to develop and implement effective soil policies.

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Soil Policy Legacy Report