MPs sound alarm on neglected soils – BBC News

By Roger Harrabin BBC environment analyst

Image copyright John Boardman Image caption A large gully opens up in a potato field, post-harvest

Ministers are failing to protect Britain’s soils on farmland and in cities, MPs say.

The Commons Environmental Audit Committee warns that tracts of polluted soil are a potential health hazard in many towns because the government has stopped grants to decontaminate them.

And agricultural carbon emissions are said to be growing because careless farming allows soil to blow away.

The government said it was protecting soils, but would review the new report.

The committee says soil is a Cinderella subject – little mentioned but vital for food and flood prevention.

Soil also stores carbon in the form of organic matter – but if soil is handled badly, this carbon can escape to the air, contributing to climate change.

Climate connection

The MPs say to meet the UK’s promises on the climate, the government needs a clear plan for protecting agricultural soil.

They complain that the government relies on soil protection rules linked to farm subsidies.

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