Improve soil to address climate risk, says Soil Association

The UK’s Soil Association has responded to the alarming conclusions of the Climate Change Committee that not only is the country unprepared for worsening climate impacts, but it is also making little progress in addressing the issue.

“There is now unequivocal evidence that climate change is making extreme weather in the UK more likely and more extreme,” the report stated. “Across the UK, this looks like heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and wildfire-conducive conditions. The UK is not appropriately prepared for this. Notably, there has been no change in addressing this risk with the change in government.”

Soil Association policy director Brendan Costelloe commented: “News that the UK is woefully ill-prepared for the worst impacts of climate change is no surprise. The government needs to take urgent action if it is going to rescue our climate, nature and future food resilience.

Costelloe said the country needed to see a rapid system-wide transition to agroecological farming practices like organic, which “reduce the environmental impact and not only secures our food system for the future but also secures the natural world too”.

“We know that intensive farming, which depends on fossil fuel based fertilisers, is causing climate change whilst also being more vulnerable to its effects, which threatens our environment and our food security,” he said.
“We have more farmers than ever wanting to transition to organic,” he continued, “so it’s vital that the government restores support that was frozen recently alongside other SFI payments, so farmers can begin that journey immediately. More broadly, the government needs to reinstate all the SFI schemes that have been correctly targeted at improving soil quality, like cover crops and herbal leys.

“Improving soil quality is probably the most important thing farmers can do to protect themselves from floods and droughts, and deliver a climate resilient food system.”

Welsh approach

In Wales, the Soil Association recently welcomed the Welsh Government’s new Community Food Strategy and its commitment to improving access to local, healthy and sustainable food for everyone in Wales.

Soil Association head of policy Wales Andrew Tuddenham commented: “There is an urgent need for the Welsh Government to use this strategy to help build a food system that prioritises healthy, nature-friendly and home-grown foods. And with this they have an opportunity to show true leadership with the food system in Wales – an approach which other governments can learn from.

“Climate change and international conflict are putting our food supply at risk, as much of it comes from vulnerable regions, leading to growing instability in food prices. Local food production benefits the economy and when prioritised towards minimally processed or whole foods it also helps people avoid ultra-processed foods, which are driving a huge health crisis in Wales.

“Wales has a track record of pioneering efforts to promote healthier, more sustainable diets but more vision and action is needed to shape a food and farming system that delivers good food for all.”

Tuddenham said that farmers needed the reassurance of long-term support for sustainable practices and the development of strong local supply chains.