§ Mr. BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the soil strategy report being prepared by her Department will recognise the role played by soil organisms in relation to(a)the ability of soil to retain moisture and carbon, (b)delivering nutrients to plants and (c)preventing soil erosion. [46635]
§ Mr. MorleyIn the draft "Soil Strategy for England", issued for public consultation last year, we said that greater understanding of the functioning of soil biological processes was a priority and that we recognised the need to take these more fully into account. DEFRA is already funding research relevant to this. Other bodies, including the Natural Environment Research Council, are also carrying out research into soil biodiversity.
Our view remains unchanged that soil organisms play a key role in relation to retention of moisture and carbon, delivering nutrients and the avoidance of soil erosion, and thus a key role in the sustainable use of soil.
We expect to make an announcement later in the spring on how we plan to develop policies on the sustainable use of soil in England.