Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to (a) protect and (b) increase soil fertility.

The Government recognises that soil is essential for underpinning a range of benefits, including food production, but also biodiversity, carbon storage and flood protection.

New national standards for agricultural soils under cross compliance were introduced in January. These rules require farmers in receipt of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy to prevent soil erosion which contributes to the loss of nutrients from soil, to maintain soil cover, and to protect the level of organic matter in their soils.

The Government is investing in a significant research programme to improve our understanding of soil condition and resilience, which includes joint programmes with the Research Councils.