21 June 2024
The Scottish National Party (SNP) launched their election manifesto on Wednesday, marking the last of the major parties to do so. Promises of the devolved administrations include reversing Brexit to allow more funding for farming (SNP) and strengthening the powers of the Groceries Adjudicator to tackle supply chain unfairness (Plaid Cymru). Reform UK say they will scrap climate-related farming subsidies and replace them with direct payments.
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have voted unanimously to pass a new bill which will see the replacement of the Basic Payment Scheme with a new support system. The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill will encourage land managers to produce food more sustainably and provides the framework for achieving Scotland’s vision of becoming a ‘global leader’ in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
EU environment ministers have reached an agreement on their approach to the EU Soil Monitoring Law, which was proposed in July last year with the aim of having all soils in the EU in healthy condition by 2050. The agreed approach will include guidance on sustainable soil management, set standards for laboratories testing soil samples and will see the monitoring and assessment of soil by all member states.
Scientists have warned that pesticide use in the UK has caused declining insect populations, with far reaching impacts for the environment and soil health. An example given by Max Barclay from the Natural History Museum in London highlights that the reduction in dung beetles caused by toxic chemicals means that dung is not broken down, reducing soil fertility.
Carbon ratings agency BeZero Carbon has issued its first rating of a regenerative agriculture project, marking an important milestone in the evaluation of soil-related agricultural practices in carbon markets. The rating scale is intended to provide insights into the strengths and risks of projects for investors and the likelihood that the regenerative project will achieve their goals.
As part of their campaign with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), campaigning organisation Save Soil have published a map which demonstrates a prediction that 95% of the world’s soils could be degraded by 2050. The map uses data from the Global Environment Facility to demonstrate soil fertility if current rates of degradation continue, making soil less resistant to drought, flooding and other climate shocks.
An article has been published for World Desertification and Drought Day (17th June) demonstrating how investing in soil can help achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN). LDN is a concept which ensures that any new land degradation is compensated for by restoration of other areas which have already been degraded. Advancing technologies to analyse soil are making it easier for countries to monitor and report against their LDN targets by helping prevent soil erosion.
NGO groups, businesses and members of the public will be marching for nature this weekend in London, in what is set to be the largest ever of its kind. The Restore Nature Now campaign is calling for increased funding to ensure farmers are able to support environmental recovery and for all political parties to prioritise nature at this General Election.