Intensive use and hazardous substances are jeopardising the health of rural soils in the Netherlands. Soils suffer from acidification, eutrophication, compaction, desiccation and a heightened vulnerability. As a result, internationally agreed objectives for improving soils, nature, water and the climate are not being met.
Many land uses are dependent on the health of rural soils. Soils are vital for agriculture, forestry and nature, but are also responsible for water quality and for water and carbon storage. The declining quality of soils is leading to lower agricultural yields and a loss of ecological quality. Water quality also fails to meet the required standards, soils retain too little water and greenhouse gas emissions from soils are too high. The need for healthier soils is made even more urgent by climate change. Soil organic matter is decomposing more quickly, while the changing climate and resulting extreme weather conditions mean that we need soils that are better able to store water and carbon.
Six recommendations
The Council recommends the Dutch government to encourage multifunctional use of soils, for example by combining land uses, such as farming with carbon storage and forestry with water storage. The Council also feels that the government should enshrine the principle of function follows soil in the National Environment and Planning Strategy. This means that the health of the soil determines what uses can be made of the land. The responsibility for putting this principle into practice is a task for the provincial governments.
The Council advises setting up a monitoring and knowledge system for collecting and sharing more information on soil quality. The Council also sees possibilities for the government to use legislation and regulatory instruments to improve the health of soils. Appropriate amendments can be made to agricultural tenancy, fertiliser and fiscal policies. Moreover, landowners and land users should be rewarded for soil friendly practices, for example via the common agricultural policy or regional branding. Finally, the Council advises the government to encourage ecological restoration in forests and nature conservation areas, for example by providing grant aid.
Note to the editor
To give your response or obtain further information, please contact Folmer de Haan, f.w.dehaan@rli.nl or on +31 (0)6 4615 2496
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