Soil, the hidden resource

a response to the Environment Agency consultation about soil
from the Applied Research Forum for Farming and Food

We welcome the publication of the Consultation Document from the Environment Agency and the opportunity to respond to a number of issues raised by the paper.

The Applied Research Forum (ARF) has a core membership drawn from the seven agricultural and horticultural levy boards within the UK.  It was established by the levy boards in response to recommendations by the Policy Commission on Farming and Food.

1. Response to consultation questions

Q1. We agree that the issues identified in relation to agriculture i.e. improving the knowledge base; understanding biodiversity; integrated management of soil, water and air; and addressing impacts of intensive agriculture should be priorities, as long as any others identified during the consultation are given due consideration.

Q2. The ARF is working in a number of areas relating to soil protection, management and restoration; both as a group and as individual levy boards.  ARF members would welcome the opportunity to work with the Environment Agency on these issues and we would welcome the establishment of more effective links to develop these initiatives.  Areas identified by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) and the British Potato Council (BPC) and Milk Development Council (MDC) that are relevant to soils are identified separately (Annex A).

Q3 & Q4. We also agree that you have used the correct criteria to establish priorities and outlined the correct measures of progress in the short and long term.

The effective delivery of information into the agriculture industry from these priorities is vitally important and this needs to be developed so that there is better understanding of the issues by the industry and the implementation effective responses.

2. Biodiversity

The ARF is planning to commission a review on soil biodiversity.  We recognise that a wealth of information on soil biodiversity exists, however this needs to be brought together and interpreted for the benefit of the agricultural community.  For this reason the ARF wishes to commission a thorough review of published information and current research relating to the phylogenetic and functional biodiversity of soils, and the role of biodiversity in the sustainability of agricultural production systems.  The ARF also wishes the review to be put into context for the farming community.  Following the review, the ARF will identify suitable research targets for levy board funding, including through LINK.

 3. Recycling organic residues

The ARF is in the process of organising a workshop on recycling organic residues to agricultural land, to be held on 8th & 9th September 2004.  This will be used to identify our priorities in this area

4. Water Framework Directive

The ARF has held a workshop (organised by the British Potato Council) on the Water Framework Directive and its implications and we will be continuing to liaise in this area.

The ARF would welcome input from, and collaboration with, the EA in all these areas, and others relating to the impacts of agriculture on soil.

Dr Michael Storey
(BPC R&D Director)
On behalf of the Applied Research Forum