Welsh committee warns of soil degradation threat

A Welsh committee has warned that soil degradation across Wales could affect future food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience – costing billions of pounds every year.

In its report Digging the dirt: Improving Wales’ soil health, the Welsh parliament’s economy, trade and rural affairs (Etra) committee explains that, because soil regenerates extremely slowly, its protection and improvement must be urgent priorities.

The Welsh government, therefore, should strengthen planning to safeguard the best agricultural land from development, and ensure farmers, particularly tenants, are supported to invest in sustainable practices.

See also: Why understanding soil biology is key to crop health

“The Welsh government must not rest on its laurels,” said committee chairman Andrew RT Davies, adding that while Wales is a leader in soil testing, this position must be maintained through best practice.

Sustainable Farming Scheme

While the inclusion of soil testing in the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), which requires farmers to test 20% of their improved land under the “universal” layer of support from 1 January 2026, was recognised as a positive step, it was not enough.

“The data collected must be shared with farmers in the most accessible way, and with experts, to increase our understanding of soil health,” Mr Davies said. 

The results must also be acted on via funding or advice and guidance on how farmers can improve their land, the committee said.

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader added that farmers continued to be concerned about data security and privacy, and the committee’s recognition of this was welcome.

“Farmers continue to be concerned at the lack of robust safeguards in place to provide protection for any soil data supplied – more focus is needed in this area of scheme design,” she said.

Future iterations of SFS should also integrate the Nature Friendly Farming Network’s soil health proposals.

Rhys Evans, NFFN Cymru manager, said: “Climate change is already causing havoc on farms across Wales, and healthy soil is absolutely crucial both to the future of food production and tackling the climate and nature crises, so the government must invest in our soil now.

“Making soil testing part of the SFS is a great start, but that must be followed up with financial investment so farmers can realise their unique potential to deliver environmental outcomes and food security for everyone, while ensuring the resilience of their businesses.”

Tenant farmers

Tenant farmers, who have been hindered in their ability to improve soils due to short-term tenancy agreements, require additional support, says the report.

Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn said tenant farmers understand the need to protect, nurture and enhance the soils on their holdings.

“With over 80% of all new tenancies let for five years or less, we desperately need to see change,” he said.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales broadly welcomed the report, but said it was concerned by calls for additional regulation “at a time when farmers are already navigating significant new requirements under the SFS”.

The Welsh government thanked the committee and said it will respond to the recommendations in due course.