Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
1
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
We are pleased that the Government is developing a set of soil health indicators and a soil health baseline. Data, and a common approach to measuring soil health, is essential for setting targets, tracking progress, evaluating the ELM schemes and understanding the merits of different interventions. The Government should develop …
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We are pleased that the Government is developing a set of soil health indicators and a soil health baseline. Data, and a common approach to measuring soil health, is essential for setting targets, tracking progress, evaluating the ELM schemes and understanding the merits of different interventions. The Government should develop these as soon as possible, particularly the soil health indicators which will underpin future policy development. Soil monitoring must also not be a “one-off exercise”: soils will always be a vital natural asset and changes to soil health can take place over many years.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirmed that national soil monitoring is underway through the tNCEA programme since 2022, aiming for a soil health baseline by 2028, and will publish provisional updates from 2024, a progress report on indicators by June 2024, and a more comprehensive model by 2025.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
3
Conclusion
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
The soil health baseline will not be established until 2028 and determining trends from that data will potentially take longer still. Given the importance of soil health, we feel it is essential to take steps now to use existing soil data and identify priority areas of concern. Furthermore, unlike the …
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The soil health baseline will not be established until 2028 and determining trends from that data will potentially take longer still. Given the importance of soil health, we feel it is essential to take steps now to use existing soil data and identify priority areas of concern. Furthermore, unlike the Minister, we believe that comparing soil data is helpful at an individual farm level and that this data is vital for assessing the impact of ELMs. The Government’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme should therefore be more ambitious and aim to collect more detailed, granular data to support land managers and inform future policy development. ELMs—as well as benefitting from more thorough data—could also be an effective mechanism for funding, standardising and collecting such field-level data. We are not convinced that guidance alone will be enough to sufficiently standardise soil tests and assessments around agreed metrics. However, this must be done in such a way to alleviate privacy concerns and avoid additional administrative burdens.
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Government response AI summary
The government highlighted ongoing efforts through the tNCEA programme, including projects like the England Ecosystem Survey and England Peat Map, and the Environment Agency's Big Soil Stocktake launched in November 2023, which aim to collect comprehensive soil data and inform policy, but did not commit …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
5
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
In order to gain an insight into recent trends, the Government should also, by 2026, commission and publish an analysis of existing soil health data held by third parties This should be used to inform future policy development, including incoming iterations of ELM schemes. (Paragraph 26) Soils strategy and leadership
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In order to gain an insight into recent trends, the Government should also, by 2026, commission and publish an analysis of existing soil health data held by third parties This should be used to inform future policy development, including incoming iterations of ELM schemes. (Paragraph 26) Soils strategy and leadership
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Government response AI summary
The government is conducting its own national soil monitoring program (tNCEA) which began in 2022, aiming for a comprehensive baseline by 2028 to inform future policy, rather than committing to commissioning analysis of third-party data by 2026.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
6
Conclusion
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
There is a lack of leadership and focus on soil health in Government policy. The awaited land use framework could certainly help but, given that the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the Environment Act targets are already the central focus of policy and scrutiny, we believe that it would be …
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There is a lack of leadership and focus on soil health in Government policy. The awaited land use framework could certainly help but, given that the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the Environment Act targets are already the central focus of policy and scrutiny, we believe that it would be better to also focus these targets on soils, giving them equal status to air and water and therefore encouraging better integration of these interdependent elements of the environment. The next update of the EIP is due by 2028, a date by which a baseline map of soil health should be ready. This presents a perfect opportunity to update the EIP and the Environment Act targets to better incorporate soils; and for the Government to refine its target to get more soils under “sustainable management.”
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Government response AI summary
The government states the current EIP already links soil health to other goals and includes an existing commitment to bring 40% of agricultural soil into sustainable management by 2028, increasing to 60% by 2030. They will review the EIP in 2028, but did not commit …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
10
Conclusion
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
The Government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes are an important economic incentive to protect and restore natural assets, such as soils. Until private ecosystem marketplaces are fully regulated and established for a variety of soil health benefits, ELM schemes will be the main tool for encouraging the restoration of soil …
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The Government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes are an important economic incentive to protect and restore natural assets, such as soils. Until private ecosystem marketplaces are fully regulated and established for a variety of soil health benefits, ELM schemes will be the main tool for encouraging the restoration of soil health. Most stakeholders believe that paying for sustainable practices is the right approach, although effective regulation and evaluation will be essential to ensure that they deliver the right outcomes. Attractive payment rates will also be crucial, rates many believe to be too low at present. Higher rates that reflect environmental benefits and additional costs could boost take-up, lead to further savings in the longer term, keep ELMs true to the ‘public money for public goods’ philosophy, and keep the Government on track to meet its targets. ELMs also do not, in general, address the capital investment barriers to more sustainable farming, although we recognise that some grant funding has been made available. The Government needs to keep a careful eye on this problem and come up with solutions if needed.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated the expanded SFI already includes soil improvement actions and committed to monitoring scheme effectiveness for economic barriers, considering further actions if needed. They also committed to defining 'sustainable soil management' in a clear, practical way with stakeholder engagement.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
12
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
By 2026, payment rates for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship schemes should be increased and calculated on the basis of income foregone, costs and an additional uplift for the public goods potentially provided. These payment rates should be developed using data collected under the Natural Capital and Ecosystem …
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By 2026, payment rates for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship schemes should be increased and calculated on the basis of income foregone, costs and an additional uplift for the public goods potentially provided. These payment rates should be developed using data collected under the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme and ELMs. Underlying methodologies used to calculate payment rates should be made publicly available.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that payment rates for SFI and CS schemes were increased on 1 January 2024, calculated based on income foregone plus costs. Updated rates and their independently verified methodology have been published, and the government intends to introduce payment premiums for high-value environmental …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
13
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
We are also concerned that significant numbers of farmers may struggle to access ELMs and so be unable to improve their soils. We are concerned about access for non-arable farmers, small-scale farmers, the horticultural sector, those with common land grazing rights and, in particular, tenant farmers. While we welcome the …
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We are also concerned that significant numbers of farmers may struggle to access ELMs and so be unable to improve their soils. We are concerned about access for non-arable farmers, small-scale farmers, the horticultural sector, those with common land grazing rights and, in particular, tenant farmers. While we welcome the progress made for tenant farmer access to the SFI, we encourage the Government to continue the monitoring of uptake amongst different types of farmers and take steps to remove barriers to all ELM schemes when identified.
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Government response AI summary
The government has introduced specific measures like the SFI Management Payment and adapted SFI rules to remove barriers for tenant and smaller farmers, showing increased uptake. It commits to introducing 16 new actions with a 3-year duration and exploring further options to improve accessibility for …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Conclusion
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
A new soil protections framework will be a major project and rely on data that is not yet available, suitable definition(s) of ‘sustainable soil management’, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. We also recognise that it is also a difficult time for farmers during the transition away from …
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A new soil protections framework will be a major project and rely on data that is not yet available, suitable definition(s) of ‘sustainable soil management’, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. We also recognise that it is also a difficult time for farmers during the transition away from the Basic Payments Scheme. We agree that offering incentives to change is initially a better way to engage farmers with this potentially quite disruptive and costly transition to improved soil management. We also strongly believe that focusing on incentives for the time being will build a better relationship between Defra and the agricultural community. The Government is right to suggest that we should get a full understanding of how well the ELM schemes work before acting. We also believe, however, that some kind of regulatory baseline will be needed, likely one that prevents soil degradation wherever possible, while Government incentives concentrate more on soil restoration. Shifting incentives in 52 Soil health this way will also only be possible once private sector initiatives are well established and other underlying supply chain issues are resolved. All this will take time.
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Government response AI summary
The government did not commit to a future regulatory baseline for soil protection, instead detailing ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility and usefulness of advice and guidance for farmers participating in existing SFI schemes.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
25
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
Soil contamination is a well-known yet not well-understood problem. There has been a longstanding and unacceptable failure to remediate historical soil contamination that acts as a barrier to nature recovery. As for contamination through agricultural inputs, the Government should also improve controls and protocols—both for their production and application—to give …
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Soil contamination is a well-known yet not well-understood problem. There has been a longstanding and unacceptable failure to remediate historical soil contamination that acts as a barrier to nature recovery. As for contamination through agricultural inputs, the Government should also improve controls and protocols—both for their production and application—to give the sector more confidence to use these more freely. It is particularly disappointing that regulatory updates for sewage sludge have not yet happened. However, the most effective measure to tackle soil contamination is to prevent it in the first place.
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Government response AI summary
The Environment Agency is actively investigating sludge quality and reviewing regulatory delivery for organic inputs like sewage sludge and composts. New ‘end of waste’ Resource Frameworks and amended permits are due by 2026/27, directly addressing the call for improved controls and protocols.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
26
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
By the end of 2025, the Government and Environment Agency should review the current regulations for the production, testing and application of organic inputs to make sure that are delivering enough protections against soil contamination. This review should set out a plan for closing any gaps in protections by 2026/27.
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By the end of 2025, the Government and Environment Agency should review the current regulations for the production, testing and application of organic inputs to make sure that are delivering enough protections against soil contamination. This review should set out a plan for closing any gaps in protections by 2026/27.
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Government response AI summary
The Environment Agency is reviewing regulatory delivery for various organic inputs, including sewage sludge and composts, and plans to introduce new ‘end of waste’ Resource Frameworks and amended permits by 2026/27, aligning with the recommended review and action plan timeline.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
30
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
By 2027, the Government should review progress with the Soil Reuse and Depot scheme and revised construction codes of practice. This should include a consultation with stakeholders on whether these voluntary codes should become mandatory and regulated by an independent body or the Environment Agency. The revised 2028 Environmental Improvement …
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By 2027, the Government should review progress with the Soil Reuse and Depot scheme and revised construction codes of practice. This should include a consultation with stakeholders on whether these voluntary codes should become mandatory and regulated by an independent body or the Environment Agency. The revised 2028 Environmental Improvement Plan should incorporate any further actions the Government will take.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to publishing revised construction guidance by summer 2024 and piloting a Soil Reuse and Depot scheme by December 2026. These initiatives will include assessment of voluntary approaches with stakeholder engagement before considering any regulatory models, aligning with the committee's call for a …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
34
Conclusion
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
There are gaps in local knowledge and skills when it comes to soil health and soil management across the economy. As environmental outcomes become more embedded in policy through agricultural, planning, construction and other reforms, it is vital that consultants and advisors as well as land managers are well-prepared to …
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There are gaps in local knowledge and skills when it comes to soil health and soil management across the economy. As environmental outcomes become more embedded in policy through agricultural, planning, construction and other reforms, it is vital that consultants and advisors as well as land managers are well-prepared to make decisions. The land use framework could help but it is no replacement for effective training, well-resourced consulting and ensuring that advice is based on the latest scientific knowledge. Stakeholders have made the case for improved education, training and guidance that is relevant to different soils and farm systems, as well as a well-resourced advisory sector. We agree that we need to see much more farmer- led research, combined with peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, to develop best soil management practices. We believe this could create a more positive feedback loop to encourage greater take-up of ELM schemes.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the need for improved soil health knowledge and skills, outlining multiple actions including mandating industry standards for SFI funding, providing free business advice until March 2025, supporting the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, introducing an agriculture T-Level, and developing a Green Jobs …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
35
Recommendation
First Report - Soil health
Accepted
By 2026, the Government should publish a review into the skills and training available to support key initiatives for nature recovery across all relevant sectors. This review should analyse the training, guidance and advisory services available in the agricultural sector and set out a plan for improving their quality by …
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By 2026, the Government should publish a review into the skills and training available to support key initiatives for nature recovery across all relevant sectors. This review should analyse the training, guidance and advisory services available in the agricultural sector and set out a plan for improving their quality by ensuring that they are based on robust scientific and impartial evidence. It should also ensure that they are accessible and affordable to all that need them.
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines multiple initiatives to improve skills and training, including mandating industry standards, funding business advice, working with the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, and introducing an agriculture T-Level. It also commits to publishing a Green Jobs Plan later this year, developed with cross-government …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs